Discontent in Congress over no representation for Dakshina Kannada in State Cabinet
Newly-elected Assembly Speaker UT Khader takes charge as Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar look on, in Bengaluru,
Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district, which sent two Congress MLAs to the Siddaramaiah government, has no representation in the Karnataka Cabinet. Though the Congress leaders in the area are delighted over the appointment of UT Khader, who won from Mangaluru as Speaker, they are discontented over not having representation in the Cabinet.
Out of the eight constituencies in the region, BJP candidates won six seats. Notwithstanding fierce opposition from the BJP, the Congress’ Ashok Rai won in Puttur, while UT Khader retained Mangalore seat.
It was expected that UT Khader will get representation in the Cabinet. He was member of both the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government (2013-2018) and the HD Kumaraswamy-led coalition government. While the party’s decision to appoint Khader as the Speaker brought joy to many, party workers remained hopeful that other legislators from the region would find a place in the cabinet.
Dakshina Kannada district has two Congress Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) – Harish Kumar and Manjunath Bhandary. Additionally, MLC and leader of the Congress party in the Council, BK Hariprasad has his roots in the coastal region. Congress leaders and workers of the region expected to have one of them in the cabinet.
“Khader was the face of the party in Dakshina Kannada. He represented the party at every forum and meeting in the district. He was quick to respond to every incident in the area making the party’s presence felt in the entire region. He effectively communicated the party’s stance on government-related issues to the media and engaged with the people, nurturing a strong rapport with all communities. As a speaker he cannot continue these activities. With his absence, the party now faces the challenge of identifying another leader or an office bearer of DCC with similar qualities,” remarked a senior party leader.
Furthermore, party members strongly believe that giving representation to Dakshina Kannada district in the state cabinet would significantly boost the morale of party workers.
“The Congress has faced challenges in Coastal Karnataka. Now, with the party coming to power, it would have been prudent to assign enough representation to the MLAs, inspiring others to excel in the coming elections,” he added.
They are hopeful of getting representation during the appointment of heads of various boards and corporations.
