Bengaluru, April 13 (IANS). The demand for reshuffle in the Karnataka cabinet has started gaining momentum. In this sequence, many MLAs of the state unit of Congress have reached Delhi, out of which about 15 MLAs also held a meeting at Karnataka Bhavan. Sources said that the issue of cabinet reshuffle was discussed in this meeting and a signature campaign was conducted in support.
According to sources, many MLAs participated in this informal meeting and discussed the need for cabinet reshuffle. He said that the government has completed three years of its tenure and now there is a need to give a chance to new faces. During the meeting, the MLAs reportedly signed a memorandum supporting the demand for ministerial berths and greater representation.
Sources said that the MLAs will present their demands before Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Meanwhile, Virajpet MLA and legal advisor to the Chief Minister, AS Ponanna, said that senior MLAs have demanded a cabinet reshuffle in the state. He said that this demand should not in any way be seen as rebellion or anti-party activity.
Ponanna said that the government has completed three years of its tenure. In this background, the demand for inclusion of new faces in the cabinet is continuously increasing within the party. He told that many MLAs had earlier also written letters demanding ministerial berth, and he himself had signed one of those letters.
He said that during the current session of the Assembly, senior MLAs met the Chief Minister and placed before him their request for cabinet reshuffle. Ponanna further said, “The MLAs had indicated that they would contact the high command, but there is no information whether they have done so or not.”
Ponanna said that cabinet reshuffle and demand for ministerial posts is a common thing in any government, and it should be seen as part of a democratic process. He further said that the final decision on any reshuffle in the cabinet will be taken only by the high command, the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister. “If there is a cabinet reshuffle, I would request that our district also gets representation in the cabinet,” he said.
–IANS
DCH/