After mass sacking, Karnataka ministers fume, plead and weep
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With the cabinet reshuffle on Sunday, the biggest worry for the Karnataka Congress came in the form of Mandya leader and former Minister HM Ambareesh, who resigned from his MLA seat on Monday.
Following his exit from the State cabinet, one of his supporters attempted suicide in Mandya and Karnataka Ambareesh Abhimanigala Sangha (Ambareesh fans association) blocked the Mysuru-Bengaluru road for hours.
Besides, Ambareesh also got support from the Kannada Film Chamber of Congress, which had organised a day-long silent protest on Sunday in Bengaluru.
Others have also vented their ire.
Former Revenue Minister Srinivas Prasad said, "I got Siddaramaiah into the Congress, but he dropped me. It has hurt me,"
Sensing trouble in the party, the BJP and JDS sent feelers to Congress leaders, while JDS Supremo HD Deve Gowda called up Ambareesh and advised him to calm down and not to take any hasty decision. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader and former CM Jagadish Shettar said if Congress leaders want to come to BJP, they will be welcomed after consultation with central leaders.
Joining Srinivas Prasad in expressing dissatisfaction over the reshuffle, MLA ST Somashekhar Yeshwantpur openly criticised the CM, saying, "The CM said he will accommodate seniors, but Priyank Kharge, who is a first-time MLA, was made minister and many MLAs who have won more than thrice are left out. The CM has also ignored the Vokkaliga community, which is another blunder,"
He further said, M Krishnappa - another Vokkaliga leader from Vijayanagar, who has won thrice - was also hopeful as his name figured in the list on Saturday, but on Sunday his name was dropped. "Tomorrow, the Vokkaliga community leaders will meet and decide on further steps," said Somashekhar.
RV Devraj, another MLA from Chickpet, also criticised Congress leaders for ignoring his plea. "I also hold SM Krishna responsible for my political debacle. I had given him my seat. If he had remembered my sacrifice, he would have lobbied on my behalf as I have won for the third time. But there seems to be no mantri bhagya for me,"
Meanwhile, Mayokonda MLA Shivmurthy Naik went on a dharna and pleaded for his minister's berth with folded hands, "I have won my seat more than thrice and hoped to be a minister. But the CM has ignored me. Tomorrow I will take a call on my resignation,"
