Bengaluru, Jun 25: The rebellion in the ruling Congress, it appears, has begun to die down. Many of the disgruntled MLAs on Friday dispersed from Bengaluru as they could not muster the support of enough number of like-minded legislators to take on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Former minister M?H?Ambareesh was supposed to participate. But it was abruptly cancelled. Senior MLAs from the rebel camp, including Malikayya Guttedar, Rajashekar Patil and Dr A?B?Maalakareddy left Bengaluru. The legislators are now planning to come to Bengaluru on July 4 when the state legislature session is scheduled to commence.
Change in leadership
As many as seven MLAs, including three former ministers, had come together and demanded change in Siddaramaiah's leadership. Islam, Guttedar, Maalakareddy, Patil and S T Somashekar were part of the rebel camp. Many of them had announced to resign as MLAs. But none have given up their Assembly membership so far.
Sources in the Congress said Siddaramaiah's strategy to quell the rebellion has by and large yielded results. He has offered the disgruntled MLAs the post of chairman in some of the important state-owned public sector enterprises. Those who accept the offer are likely to get the minister of state rank, the sources added.
Siddaramaiah's move is aimed at ensuring that number of MLAs in the rebel camp does not go up. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) has prepared a list of about 20 boards and corporations. The offer will be made to senior MLAs, especially those who are unhappy after the recent reshuffle of the council of ministers.
Besides, Siddaramaiah is said to have managed to convince Guttedar to disassociate himself from the rebel group and sought his cooperation in running the government smoothly for the next two years. Siddaramaiah spoke to Guttedar over phone and also offered to give special funds for the development of his constituency. Guttedar, who is a six-time MLA from Afzalpur and a former minister, was one of the key members of the rebel group.
Hands tied'
Siddaramaiah reportedly told Guttedar that he was under pressure and lacked freedom while making his new team. Though Guttedar curtly told the Chief Minister that he was hurt for not getting a ministerial berth, he later decided to leave Bengaluru.
Similarly, Energy Minister D K Shivakumar and newly-appointed KPCC working president Dinesh Gundu Rao spoke to other disgruntled MLAs. This apart, Ambareesh, as announced by himself, has not turned into a rebel leader, at least at this juncture.
When contacted, Guttedar said he has gone to Hyderabad as one of his relatives was unwell. Dr Maalakareddy and Patil said the they will next meet during the legislature session. Close aides of Prasad confirmed that the Friday's meeting was cancelled as many of the legislators left Bengaluru without notice. Prasad, however, has stayed put in Bengaluru.
Prasad may meet SMK today
Dissident leader V Srinivas Prasad is planning to meet former chief minister S M Krishna on Saturday at latter's Sadashivanagar residence in the city and seek his support. Krishna, who is away in Mumbai, is scheduled to arrive in Bengaluru on Saturday, sources said.
Comments
Add new comment