Karnataka Cabinet expansion shaped by Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar power struggle, claims BJP
Bengaluru, Aug 5 (IANS) BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka government over the recent Cabinet expansion, alleging that it was driven by “money power, factional politics and the Congress high command” rather than the state’s development or public welfare.
Addressing a press conference, he further alleged that the Cabinet expansion was shaped by the power struggle between former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, with the Congress high command playing the decisive role.
Questioning the re-induction of Minister B. Nagendra into the Cabinet, Vijayendra alleged that despite facing judicial proceedings in connection with the alleged Valmiki Development Corporation scam, Nagendra had been accommodated in the ministry. He accused the Congress of compromising its own claims of providing a corruption-free administration.
The BJP leader further alleged that Nagendra’s re-induction came after reports that he had threatened to reveal information related to the Congress high command if he was denied a ministerial berth. He demanded that the Congress clarify these allegations before the people of the state.
Vijayendra claimed that the Cabinet expansion was not aimed at ensuring good governance or accelerating development but was the outcome of internal power-sharing arrangements, groupism and decisions dictated by the party high command.
Referring to his earlier allegation that “the date was not fixed because the rate was not fixed,” Vijayendra said the statements made by several Congress leaders themselves had substantiated his charge. He claimed that the open dissent expressed by senior Congress leaders and legislators had exposed the reality behind the Cabinet formation.
The BJP leader pointed to the criticism voiced by senior Congress MLA Tanveer Sait, who reportedly questioned the inclusion of leaders accused of anti-party activities in the Cabinet.
He also referred to former Minister T.B. Jayachandra’s reported remark that he was “ashamed to call himself a Congressman” and MLA S.R. Srinivas’s statement suggesting that he could not secure a ministerial berth because he could not afford to pay money.
Vijayendra added that dissatisfaction expressed by former Minister M.C. Sudhakar, former Minister S.N. Narayanaswamy and several other Congress leaders reflected the growing internal unrest within the ruling party.
Vijayendra further demanded that the Congress respond to the serious allegations made by former Minister Sharanabasappa Darshanapur, who reportedly claimed that ministerial positions were given only to those who had paid money or enjoyed influence with the party high command.
Accusing the Congress of hypocrisy on women’s empowerment, Vijayendra said that despite repeatedly speaking about empowering women, the government had failed to induct even a single woman into the expanded Cabinet. He alleged that the last-minute exclusion of Congress MLC Gayathri Shanthegowda exposed the party’s real attitude towards women.
Vijayendra also claimed that not only the selection of ministers but even the allocation of portfolios was being decided by the Congress leadership in New Delhi.
He said the Chief Minister was repeatedly forced to travel to the national Capital to obtain approval from the high command, describing it as an unprecedented situation in Karnataka’s political history.
Vijayendra also criticised the Congress high command for allegedly issuing directions regarding the appointments of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Legislature through an AICC letterhead. He claimed such interference undermined the autonomy of the Legislature and violated the spirit of the Constitution.
He also condemned Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge for allegedly making light comments on protests by students and youth demanding justice in issues related to PDO recruitment and Agriculture Department AO and AAO recruitments.
Vijayendra said the government’s attitude reflected arrogance and an unwillingness to address the grievances of job aspirants.
He asserted that the people of Karnataka had understood the true nature of the government and would deliver an appropriate verdict through democratic means at the right time.
–IANS
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