No moral right to question first-time MLAs: Moily

Mangaluru/ Udupi: Former chief minister M Veerappa Moily said that no one has the moral right to question new MLAs who are seeking ministerial berths in the Congress govt in Karnataka.Moily told reporters on Tuesday, that he himself was a newcomer during his early political career. In response to a query on 30 first-time Congress MLAs writing to the party high command seeking ministerial berths, Moily said those who have merit can be given the minister's post.
"I entered politics when Devaraj Urs was the chief minister in 1972. If legislators have merit and dedication, they can be included in the cabinet. If the new MLAs have the talent to present themselves in the legislature, then the chief minister himself will recognise them. We did not become ministers through lobbying. The chief minister recognised us. Based on merit, first-time Congress MLAs can be made ministers. Meanwhile, senior leaders should also be there in the cabinet," Moily said.When asked about demands for a change in CM and the current discussion of a cabinet reshuffle, Moily said that legislators were merely expressing their aspirations, and this should not be interpreted as groupism.Debate over power-sharing should be settled internally: MoilyMeanwhile, in Udupi, former CM M Veerappa Moily stated that disputes over power-sharing should be settled internally by the Congress high command and party legislators, rather than becoming a public discussion. People expect able governance through a strong, stable and corruption-free govt in the state, he said.Stating that there is no confusion in the govt, Moily said that cabinet meetings are held regularly every week, while programmes continue to take place without any interruptions. "This is a clear indication that the state govt is stable. Cabinet meetings would not be possible if there was any real crisis. Public discussion regarding power-sharing can cause public unease and negatively impact govt stability. The state govt is neither confused nor unstable. Any personal disagreements between chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar are internal matters and not of public concern," Moily said.Further, he said that the govt under Siddaramaiah has successfully instilled hope in the poor through its guarantee schemes. Party leaders must make efforts to ensure the stability of the govt and the comprehensive development of the state," he added.