Congress continues to face discontent over ministry rejig

Disgruntlement within the Congress triggered by the H D Kumaraswamy ministry rejig in Karnataka continued to simmer Monday with miffed ministerial aspirants pouring out their anger publicly.

Sulking over being dropped as minister, Ramesh Jarkiholi indicated his plans to quit as party MLA and said he would make his decision public in four days.

Supporters of another senior state Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy staged a protest after holding a meeting here and expressing displeasure about their leader not being considered during the cabinet expansion Saturday.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy sought to play down the developments, saying such "emotional reactions" were common and he would speak to the sulking leaders and pacify them.

His father and JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda dismissed any threat to the government and said it was stable and the alliance will 'efficiently' fight the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

In the much-awaited exercise, the six-month old Congress-JDScoalition ministry headed by Kumaraswamy was expanded Saturday wih the induction of eight members from the national party.

However, it was marked by rumblings of dissidence as several senior congress MLAs are upset over their exclusion,with legislators including Reddy, B C Patil, B K Sangamesh and Bheema Naik coming out openly to give vent to their anger.

Meanwhile, allocation of portfolios to the newly inductedMinisters is also getting delayed.

Sources said, the wait is on for the arrival of Congress General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal as there was growing demand for plump portfolios among the new ministers.

Ramesh Jarkiholi told reporters Monday: "Did you see TV yesterday; I'm committed to it. when, why all thesethings I will discuss (with supporters) and decide... whatever you heard about my phone conversation,I'm committed to it."
He said ".giveme four days time.I will inform the people of the state aboutmy decision. I have many things to discuss with you (media)."
"All MLAs are efficient," he said adding that "such reactions are common in today's political scenario. Congress has ability to resolve the issues. I will also talk to them as I share good relationship with them."
Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah too said, "no one will resign....there is no such thing."