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Fromer chief minister Siddaramaiah’s absence in the winter session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in Belgavi has cast a shadow on the Congress. Giving it a miss, the Chairman of Janata Dal-Secular-Congress co-ordination committee left for Malaysia on Monday, which is said to be a private trip, and is expected to return on December 15.
JD(S)-Cong cohesiveness
In Siddaramaiah’s absence, many of his supporters also stayed away from first-day of the session. A senior Congress leader said, “He (Siddaramaiah) is not the one who frequently travels abroad. But his sudden plan has raised many a doubts leading to speculation of JD(S) and Congress’ cohesiveness in the coalition set-up.”
On the back of Siddaramaiah’s travel abroad, few aspirants who were looking forward to the Legislative session at Belagavi to exert pressure ahead of the proposed Cabinet expansion, were also disappointed.
A few MLA and former ministers also skipped the session, including MB Patil, who is campaigning vigorously for a Cabinet berth in the coalition dispensation.
Last week, Siddaramaiah’s supporters came forward to demand Chief Minister’s berth for him. This development has come at a time when JD(S)-Congress coalition is planning to expand its Cabinet on December 22.
The coalition government has six vacant positions under its quota. Siddaramaiah’s travel plan and postponement of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting has left a section of Congress MLAs unhappy and being sidelined.
With Siddaramaiah away, the CLP meeting which was scheduled to be held in Belagavi on December 10, now has been deferred to December 18.
Tribute to Vajpayee
Karnataka Legislature paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former Union Ministers CK Jaffar Sharief, HN Ananth Kumar and MH Ambareesh, who had passed away recently. Speaker speaker Ramesh Kumar and Legislative Council Chairperson Basavaraj Horatti spoke on the achievements of the three leaders and their contribution for the country’s progress.
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