Siddaramaiah says will talk to Prasad, KPCC chief warns dissidents

Hubballi/Bengaluru, Jul 2: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said he would speak to former minister V Srinivas Prasad who has openly expressed discontent after being dropped from the Cabinet.

On his way to Ranebennur, Siddaramaiah told reporters at the Hubballi Airport on Friday that disappointment was natural as some ministers had to be dropped from the Cabinet, so that others could get a chance.

“I have spoken to some leaders who expressed discontent, and the confusion has been cleared. I will also speak to Srinivas Prasad,” he said. “Priyank Kharge is the only first-time MLA to be made a minister.” Responding to Prasad's claim that he had helped build Siddaramaiah's political career, the chief minister said, “Helping each other is common in political life.”

Meanwhile, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president G Parameshwara strongly defended the Cabinet reshuffle and warned disgruntled MLAs against crossing the limit while expressing their displeasure.

“Difference of opinion is bound to arise when the Cabinet is reshuffled. But there is a limit to it. Nobody should cross that limit. The reshuffle was done after obtaining the approval of the high command,” he told reporters in Bengaluru.

The chief minister has made all efforts to pacify the disgruntled MLAs. Nobody should do anything that is against the party's interest, he said. “Though I was away in Germany, I spoke to a few disgruntled leaders over phone and tried to pacify them. I will soon personally hold a meeting with Srinivas Prasad and M H Ambareesh,” said Parameshwara, who is also Home Minister.

New president

Parameshwara said the high command had appointed Dinesh Gundu Rao the KPCC working president and would name a new president soon.

Upper house leader

The chief minister appointed Parameshwara leader of the ruling party in the Legislative Council in place of S R Patil, who was dropped from the Cabinet in the recent reshuffle.

Winter session in Belagavi

The winter session of the state legislature will be held at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi in November, the chief minister said. The monsoon session will be held in Bengaluru where department-wise demands will be discussed. The budget has to be approved in both the houses, he added.

Answering a query on the Kalasa-Banduri issue, the chief minister stated that an application for interim award had been filed before the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal, and prime minister's intervention sought. On government employees' demands, he said talks would be held with them.