Congress intensifies outreach to disgruntled MLAs fearing their absence from Monsoon Session
There could be outreach from the government through offers of party positions or posts in boards and corporations to mollify disgruntled legislators upset over being denied a place in the Cabinet
The ruling Congress party in India is intensifying its outreach efforts to disgruntled legislators who fear they may be absent from the upcoming Monsoon Session, scheduled to commence next week. The party, which has been under pressure to accommodate senior leaders and legislators in the Cabinet, is worried that the absence of these legislators could embarrass the government and provide material for the opposition.
Some legislators have expressed their discontent, hoping to send a message to the party that they are unhappy with their exclusion. However, it is expected that a decision on their absence will only be made on the eve of August 13.
In an attempt to quell the discontent, the Congress has been engaging with the affected legislators through various means. For instance, Congress general secretary for Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, recently met with H.K. Patil and A. Krishnappa to discuss their grievances. Both legislators have been urged to exercise restraint and patience, with the hope that the party will consider their demands.
Another disgruntled minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, also met with H.K. Patil to discuss the issue of their exclusion from the Cabinet.
The Congress is reaching out to individual legislators who are unhappy through influential ministers and other legislators who wield sway in their communities or regions. One example is a Lingayat legislator from North Karnataka who was mollified after a senior Lingayat minister spoke with him. The party is also facing the challenge of allocating portfolios to the 19 newly inducted ministers, as three of them - K.H.
Muniyappa, Krishna Byre Gowda, and Ramalinga Reddy - had previously raised concerns over portfolio allocation. Basavaraj Rayareddi has sought the Finance portfolio, while Vijayanand Kashappanavar has requested a "public-connect portfolio."
Interestingly, A.V. Gayatri Shanthegowda, whose inclusion in the Cabinet list created a stir and upset former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, will take oath as an MLC on Friday. This is her second term as an MLC, following a legal battle against the election of M.K. Pranesh. Shanthegowda's inclusion comes after a recount, which overturned the initial results of the Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities constituency election in 2022.
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