Cong struggles to find solution to avert crisis to coalition

The Congress in Karnataka continued to struggle for the second consecutive day on Thursday to avert a potential existential crisis to the one-year-old H D Kumaraswamy ministry, as it discussed a possible cabinet rejig to address the dissent within.

Sent here to stop further slide in the ruling coalition, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal met party ministers in the Kumaraswamy cabinet and senior leaders in the state.

During the meeting, the reasons for the recent poll drubbing, the need for the continuation of the coalition government, strengthening the party and ways to end disgruntlement through cabinet rejig, were discussed, party sources said.

Though Congress leaders on Wednesday were unable to reach consensus on whether to go in for cabinet expansion by filling three vacant posts or reshuffle by asking a few ministers to step down and make way for the disgruntled lawmakers,congress legislature party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah Thursday indicated thatreshuffle was on the cards.

According to the sources, there are talks about first fillingthree vacant posts and then going in for reshuffle if the need arises.

"It is not that we are not going to accommodate them, time will come, a day will come we will make a reshuffle, then we will consider those who are eligible or deserved," Siddaramaiah said to a query about accommodating disgruntled MLAs.

Asked when the time will come, he said, "That we have not decided...we will let you know."
There is no threat by BJP and the result of this parliament election will not make any impact on the alliance, because the verdict is not for state government...all our legislators and ministers are united."