Only 8 mantris take oath in Karnataka as Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar tussle

BENGALURU: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar took oath Saturday with only eight ministers, as differences cropped up in their alleged attempt to cherry-pick their favourites and forced Congress to deviate from the original plan of launching the new government with 28 ministers.

Karnataka has a sanctioned cabinet strength of 34, but there could be a long delay in expanding the ministry as both factions are eyeing plum portfolios, sources said.

Congress insiders said a list of 28 names was ready, but an intense tussle between the Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar factions in Delhi forced the high command to delay releasing all names. The brass decided to wait for consensus to emerge.

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were in Delhi Friday to finalise the list of ministers in consultation with the high command led by AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge. The leadership reportedly asked them to pick 10 ministers each and leave the rest to it.

Siddaramaiah batted for KJ George, MB Patil, Satish Jarkiholi, BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, and six others, Shivakumar pitched for G Parameshwara, KH Muniyappa, Ramalinga Reddy, Priyank Kharge, and six more.

It is said Shivakumar strongly opposed at the meeting the induction of TB Jayachandra, HC Mahadevappa, and RV Deshpande-names Siddaramaiah recommended-on the premise that their contribution to the party's win in the May 10 assembly elections was insignificant.

Shivakumar had earlier upbraided Deshpande for not mobilising enough people for Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra.

A senior party functionary said discussions continued till early Saturday, but unanimity on several names couldn't be achieved.

After his swearing-in, Siddaramaiah said nine-time legislator Deshpande will be the pro-tem speaker , who will preside over the first meeting of the Lower House before elections to pick a new speaker. He said a special three-day session of the assembly will be convened, which many construed as a move to buy time to shortlist names of ministers.

Sources said Jayachandra and Deshpande are being discussed for the speaker's post. But Deshpande doesn't want that. "I don't think I am fit to hold such a responsible post. I worked as a minister under eight chief ministers. I am ready for any ministerial position," he said.


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