M’lore: Race for ministerial berths in Siddu’s cabinet hots up

Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 11 May 2013: With the Congress wasting no time in naming Siddaramaiah as its leader to head the state, political developments are on an overdrive with regard to formation of the cabinet. In Dakshina Kannada, that returned seven Congress MLAs, sense of expectation is high, even while they preferred to remain on the right side of caution by leaving their fates in the hands of the CM designate and the party high command.

 

 

B Ramanath Rai, a six time MLA and former DK district in-charge minister while lauding the party leadership for its quick decision in choosing Siddaramaiah as CM designate was not overtly exuberant about his ministerial chances. "I leave it to the party to decide on how best to make use of my services," Rai, who has handled important ministries such as home and transport in the past.

 

"There are many seniors in the waiting," Rai added.

 

But, pressing for his case was the normally less exuberant and soft spoken K Abhayachandra Jain, former chief whip of the opposition, who has notched up his fourth win from Mulki-Moodbidri constituency. As per current indication, while Siddaramaiah will be sworn in alone as CM on Monday, other ministers could be sworn during the course of next week, Jain told, adding he was very much in contention for a ministerial berth.

 

The youngest among the lot from Congress MLAs in DK, UT Khader at 44 who has tasted a hat-trick from Ullal then and Mangalore as it is known now, told TOI that Muslim MLAs have left their fates in the hands of senior Muslim leaders Jaffer Sharief, Rahman Khan and CM Ibrahim. Stating that Muslim MLAs met under these leaders at a hotel in the state capital, Khader hoped that his name would figure in the list from among minority aspirants.

 

But, one cannot rule out Shakuntala T Shetty, lone woman MLA from the Congress in DK, or J R Lobo, the lone Christian among the lot and a first time MLA, who scalped N Yogish Bhat, the four time BJP MLA. Shakuntala, second time MLA having earlier won on BJP ticket could make it under women’s quota or Lobo could make it to the ministry under the minority quota.