Demand grows for cabinet berth for Rajegowda

Chikkamagaluru: With chief minister-designate DK Shivakumar preparing to form a new cabinet, the demand for a minister berth for one of the five MLAs from Chikkamagaluru district is getting stronger.

Despite the case of vote tampering in Sringeri assembly segment still pending before the apex court, Sringeri MLA TD Rajegowda is considered the favourite by many due to his political experience.

Rajegowda, having extensive knowledge about the problems of the Malnad region, would bring in immediate solutions. Rajegowda would be a proper person to bring in relief, said progressive farmer Kalkuli Mallappa Hegde.

After DB Chandre Gowda, no one from Sringeri constituency has become a minister in a Congress govt.

The Malenad Karavali Janapara Okkoota demanded that Rajegowda be given the forest portfolio to resolve key problems plaguing the region, including forest land issues and human-wildlife conflict, said Anil Hosakoppa, state convener of Okkoota.

Now, the new cabinet would get hardly 18 months' time for development activities. Chikkamagaluru is different compared to other places, and it would take time for a newbie to understand the problems of the coffee land. Person with utmost knowledge is a better option, said retired professor Venkatesh.