Karnataka cabinet portfolios likely to be finalised by today: CM Shivakumar

Bengaluru, Aug 10 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday said that the allocation of portfolios to the newly inducted ministers is likely to be finalised by Monday, following discussions with the Congress high command in New Delhi.

Speaking to reporters in Malur in Kolar district, Shivakumar said he had discussed the cabinet portfolios with the party's senior leadership in Delhi last Saturday evening and indicated that the issue could be resolved by the end of Monday.

“I discussed the allocation of portfolios with the party's senior leaders in Delhi on Saturday evening. Perhaps, it will be resolved by today,” Shivakumar said.

The Chief Minister's remarks come amid keen interest within the ruling Congress over the distribution of key portfolios following the recent expansion of his cabinet. Several newly inducted ministers are awaiting the allocation of departments.

Meanwhile, Shivakumar launched a sharp attack on the BJP-JDS padayatra against the proposed Bidadi Township project, claiming that the protest was not a genuine farmers' movement but an attempt to secure the political future of JD(S) leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy.

“There are no farmers in the BJP-JDS padayatra being held against the Bidadi Township project. This is a protest being carried out for the political future of the boy in their family (Nikhil Kumaraswamy),” Shivakumar said. Nikhil Kumaraswamy is the grandson of former PM H.D. Deve Gowda and son of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.

However, the Chief Minister said he would not question the Opposition's right to protest.

Asked about former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda's participation in the padayatra, Shivakumar alleged that party workers had been brought in from other constituencies to participate in the protest.

“They have brought party workers from other constituencies and are conducting the padayatra. Holding protests and agitations is their democratic right. I will not question that right,” he said.

Shivakumar also defended the government's decision to proceed with the Bidadi Township project, arguing that it was based on a plan initiated by the previous government.

“We are continuing a project that they had undertaken. They had said that they would provide Rs 25 lakh as compensation. We are providing compensation ranging from Rs 2.5 crore to Rs 3 crore,” he said.

Responding to former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's allegation that the NICE and Bidadi Township projects were similar, Shivakumar said the former government had itself approved and signed both projects.

“They themselves signed both these projects. Who implemented the NICE project? They did it. But it has benefited Bengaluru. Bengaluru has survived today because the road was built,” Shivakumar said.

The Chief Minister clarified that he was not necessarily saying that the NICE project was wrong, but alleged that there were vested interests involved.

“I am not saying what they did was wrong. But there is self-interest involved in it. I will speak about all that when the time comes,” he said.

The BJP and JD(S) have intensified their opposition to the Bidadi Township project, with leaders of both parties participating in the padayatra and seeking the withdrawal of the proposed project. The Opposition has alleged that the project would adversely affect farmers and landowners in the region.

The ruling Congress, however, has maintained that the project is intended to address Bengaluru's growing urbanisation and housing requirements while providing appropriate compensation to affected landowners.

The controversy over the Bidadi project has also brought the political rivalry between the Congress and the JD(S) to the forefront, particularly between Shivakumar and the Deve Gowda family.

--IANS

mka/uk