Cabinet reshuffle: Siddaramaiah flies to Delhi to meet High Command

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah flew to New Delhi on Tuesday night to discuss with Congress High Command about a possible minor reshuffle of State Cabinet, including filling up of three vacant posts of ministers. In fact, he was summoned to Delhi to sign for the nomination of Meira Kumar for the post of President, but as he had assured that he would discuss with the High Command about Cabinet reshuffle, and set expectations high among the aspirants, reports Kannada Prabha.

However, sources say that, as the Congress leaders are all preoccupied with the presidential election, Siddaramaiah may not get an opportunity to discuss Cabinet reshuffle. Also he is expected to fly back on Wednesday and the short time may not make it possible to discuss State issues with High Command. Hence, may be the State has to wait till presidential elections are over, say sources.

On the other hand, some close associates of CM are saying that since Venugopal, State incharge observer is available and the Cabinet expansion and minor reshuffle can be taken up on information to him. Especially, since the post vacated by HY Meti is earmarked for a Kuruba leader and the post vacated by Mahadeva Prasad has to be filled up by a Lingayat leader, and in both cases the decision of the Chief Minister is final.

The post vacated by Dr G Parameshwar has to be filled by a reserved category candidate, only which needs to be discussed with the High Command. It is already established that the High Command has favoured the Left Hand Section among the reserved faction. Hence there is no confusion and the possibilities of Cabinet expansion and reshuffle happening during July first or second week is a near possibility, say the sources, reports Kannada Prabha.

Of the three, HY Meti is trying a re-entry under the Kuruba quota and HM Revanna is gathering the support of the community to clinch the post. Since Kuruba leader former MP Vishwanath has left Congress, it has given a breather to Revanna. Heavy lobbying is also underway for Govindaiah of Chitradurga under the same quota.

In Lingayat quota, Geetha Mahadeva Prasad and Shadakshari have bright chances.

The Home Ministry is proving a big hassle for Siddaramaiah. After Dr G Parameshwar’s resignation CM had kept the Home portfolio with him but wants to hand it over to someone else soon. All the senior leaders want to have Home as an additional charge only and not instead of their existing portfolio. Hence the CM is forced to make a reshuffle, it is said, reports Kannada Prabha.

According to sources, Siddaramaiah has already held talks with senior leader Ramesh Kumar in this regard, as it is absolutely essential to hand over Home portfolio to a senior leader in view of the elections coming next year. The government has to sustain, defend and grow in strength in this last one year in office and CM feels Ramesh Kumar is best suited for this. However, being Health Minister Ramesh Kumar has taken up certain significant decisions with regard to Health sector and intends to complete them. To take up Home portfolio, he has to give up Health and he is not mentally prepared for it, reports Kannada Prabha.

In case Ramesh Kumar does not agree, it may be handed over to Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, sources say.  Ramalinga Reddy is prepared to give up Transport for Home, but nothing is decided yet, say sources, reports Kannada Prabha.

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• cabinet reshuffle