Karnataka’s independent MLAs sore denial of district-in-charge status

The five independent MLAs, who have propped up the BJP Government in Karnataka, are not only disappointed over the allocation of “insignificant” Ministerial portfolios, but also hurt over the omission of their names from the list of district-in-charge Ministers announced by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

The independent MLAs, who went public with their disappointment over the seemingly unimportant ministerial portfolios allotted to them on Sunday, met at a hotel in Bangalore yesterday after they were even denied the much-sought-after status of district-in-charge Ministers, causing concern to the BJP leadership.

“There is disappointment among the independent MLAs. We are planning to meet Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa with our grievances”, Minister for Women and Child Welfare P M Narendraswamy told reporters after participating in a meeting of the disgruntled independent MLAs.

While a few senior BJP Ministers holding powerful portfolios have been entrusted with the charge of more than one district, the independent MLAs have not only been given Ministries they were least interested in, but also kept out of the list of Ministers in charge of the district.

Independent MLA from Hosadurga in Chitradurga Gulihatti Shekar, who has been given the charge of Youth Services and Textiles, had not hesitation to go public with his disappointment. “I was the first independent MLA to announce support to the BJP. But, I have been neglected”, he rued before adding that he had sought the portfolio of Mines as mining was his area of expertise.

“A trivial portfolio apart, I have not been able to secure a quarter or room of my choice in the Vidhana Soudha. The BJP leadership is looking down upon me”, a hurt Shekar told reporters.

Similiarly, independent MLA from Kanakagiri in Koppal district Shivaraj Tangadagi is also upset over the allocation of the portfolio of Agricultural Marketing and Sugar. “I had appealed to the party leaders for Transport Ministry. But, my plea has fallen on deaf ears. I will not let go of my demand for Transport portfolio”, he said.

Keeping the independent MLAs in good humour is crucial for the survival of the BJP Government in Karnataka as the party had won only 110 seats in the 224-member house. The BJP managed to secure a simple majority only after the independent MLAs extended supported to a Government led by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.