Kumaraswamy steps in to pacify disgruntled Congress MLAs

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today stepped in to pacify the MLAs of ally Congress, who were unhappy with the cabinet expansion, and asked the Congress' central leadership to act immediately to find a solution.

The chief minister met M B Patil, a prominent state Congress leader under whose leadership a section of dissatisfied legislators have been holding meetings.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Patil, the chief minister said though the issue is not directly related to him, he had gone to pacify the lawmakers as the leader of the Congress-JD(S) coalition, for the stability of the government.

"This is an issue that is not related to me, because these are decisions made within Congress party... I have understood his (Patil) feeling of pain that he has worked for Congress party when it needed, but feels let down now," Kumaraswamy, who is the leader of Congress-JD(S) joint legislature party, said.

Kumaraswamy said Patil had told him that he was not alone and would take a decision after consulting other like-minded MLAs, adding, "I have gathered his feelings; I request Delhi leaders (Congress) to immediately act to find a solution."
Asked whether he was heading the disgruntled legislators, he said, "We are a team. I'm no senior or no junior. We fifteen-twenty people are all equals. Whatever decision happens, it will be of the team."