Caste-based lobbies in Cong intensify demand for ministerial berths, DCM posts

Mysuru: Clamours for ministerial berths and deputy chief minister (DCM) posts, primarily based on caste equations, have begun to emerge within governing Congress in Karnataka as supporters of several MLAs and MLCs from the Old Mysuru region have stepped up efforts to pitch for netas close to them.

While district Congress units have largely remained silent on the issue, various caste-based organisations and community groups have launched pressure campaigns, urging the party high command to ensure representation for their respective communities in the cabinet.

Along with ministerial posts, supporters of MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, T Narasipura MLA H C Mahadevappa, Narasimharaja MLA Tanveer Sait, and MLA B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan are demanding DCM posts for netas they are loyal to.

Kuruba community leaders from Varuna, the home constituency of Siddaramaiah, have already voiced their demand for a DCM post for Yathindra, the outgoing CM’s son. In a meeting held at Kempi Siddana Hundi village, several Congress functionaries highlighted what they termed as Siddaramaiah’s sacrifice for the party and demanded that his gesture be adequately acknowledged.

Meanwhile, on Monday, supporters of senior party functionary H C Mahadevappa formed a human chain in Chamaraja Wadiyar Circle, demanding a DCM post for him. They held a protest, holding a portrait of Dr B R Ambedkar.

Supporters who gathered at the Town Hall later urged the Congress brass in the state to honour seniority in the party.

Narasimharaja MLA Tanveer Sait, who is also the KPCC working president, demanded a minister post for himself, apart from seeking at least three ministerial berths for Muslim members in the party. His supporters, too, are expecting DCM posts for their netas under the Muslim quota.

Supporters of Chamarajapet MLA B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan have urged the Congress high command to grant a DCM post to their leader. Not only in Mysuru, in taluk centres such as Hunsur, too, there is a growing demand for allocation of plum cabinet posts.

In keeping with the growing chorus of demands for ministerial berths, the Nayaka community is demanding a ministerial post for H D Kote MLA Anil Kumar C. They point out that historically, the community was deprived of political representation and Congress must do some course correction.

Demand to induct first-time MLC Dr D Thimmaiah was also raised by various Dalit organisations, urging more representation for community members in the new cabinet.

In the neighbouring Chamarajanagar district, Chamarajanagar MLA C Puttaranga Shetty is a ministerial aspirant. A staunch supporter of Siddaramaiah, he is seeking a minister post under the backward classes quota.

Kollegal MLA A R Krishnamurthy has also expressed his desire to be a part of the new cabinet.

Meanwhile, three district units of Congress have urged the party’s state and national leadership to nominate district unit president B J Vijaya Kumar to either the legislative council or Rajya Sabha.