Byrathi: Cabinet reshuffle would be legitimate exercise

Shivamogga: Amid ongoing speculation over a leadership tussle in the ruling Congress, urban development minister Byrathi Suresh has said a cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka would be a legitimate exercise aimed at giving more legislators an opportunity to serve.Speaking to reporters here, Suresh said the final call on any reshuffle would rest entirely with the party high command and that all leaders, including the CM, deputy CM, and MLAs, would abide by its decision.Referring to MLAs visiting Delhi, the minister said Congress legislators, being disciplined, would continue in office only as long as the party leadership desired. He stressed that the issue should not be viewed as unusual, as decisions on govt and organisation were taken collectively.Hitting back at opposition criticism over the possibility of a reshuffle, Suresh accused the BJP of double standards. Noting that BJP changed three chief ministers during its previous tenure in Karnataka, he questioned as to why a reshuffle in the Congress govt should now attract criticism. On the recent 56-paise increase in electricity tariff, Suresh blamed the Union govt's fuel pricing policies. He said rising prices of gas, petrol and diesel pushed up the cost of power generation, leading to higher electricity charges. According to him, increases in fuel prices set off a chain reaction affecting multiple sectors, including power. Suresh also accused the BJP of delaying an LPG price hike until after elections, alleging that people are now being burdened with a rise in its price.