Karnataka Congress faces internal unrest after Cabinet expansion
The recent expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet has sparked dissatisfaction within the ruling Congress, with several legislators expressing disappointment over being left out.
The unrest has resulted in resignations from party positions, protest demonstrations and calls for bandhs in some districts. Reports also indicate that more than 20 unhappy MLAs may hold a separate meeting before approaching the party leadership.
Indi MLA Yashavantharayagouda V. Patil announced that he would resign from the Assembly after missing out on a ministerial berth.
Senior Congress leader T.B. Jayachandra declined the offer to serve as Pro Tem Speaker, while Sagar MLA Belur Gopalakrishna said he had kept his resignation letter ready. Gubbi Srinivas also decided to resign as Chairman of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar responded by saying legislators were free to resign if they wished and that such resignations would be accepted.
First-time MLA Sharath Bachche Gowda also voiced disappointment over not receiving either a Cabinet position or another government assignment, though he affirmed his commitment to the party’s decision.
Public protests were reported in Chikkaballapura district, where supporters of senior MLA S.N. Subbareddy observed a bandh after he was denied a Cabinet berth. Demonstrators staged protests that disrupted KSRTC bus services.
Police also prevented an alleged self-immolation attempt by a Congress worker in Bagepalli. In Koppal district, several party office-bearers resigned after MLA Raghavendra Hitnal was excluded from the Cabinet, including District Mahila Congress President Jyoti Gondbal.