Siddu cautions Cong MLAs against groupism

Legislators cannot force ministers to do things against rules, says CM c

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday is learnt to have cautioned his party legislators against groupism and holding secret meetings to discuss affairs of the party and the government. All problems could be discussed within the four walls of the party, he is learnt to have told them.

The ruling party is witnessing groupism and factionalism of late. While some legislators are upset with the party for not giving them positions in the government, others are unhappy with the lax attitude of the ministers.

Many of the dissatisfied MLAs have been forming their own groups. A group of young MLAs led by Dr K Sudhakar reportedly held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss alleged lax attitude of some ministers. 

Siddaramaiah, who chaired the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting at the Vidhana Soudha, is understood to have said that openly criticising the ministers amounts to indiscipline. Problems can be discussed with either the chief minister or State party president G Parameshwara, he added.

He further said it was not proper on part of the legislators to insist on the ministers to do things that are against the rule book. At the same time, all the ministers have been directed to solve the legislators’ problems speedily. All problems posed by people should be resolved at the district level and the ministers have to take the local MLAs into confidence, he added.

Briefing reporters about the CLP meeting, senior legislator C S Nadagouda said the legislators have been given time till February end to give information on their requirement of houses for the poor under various projects. Allotment will be done after consulting the legislators.

The chief minister has assured to streamline the allotment process, besides ensuring speedy implementation of housing projects.

Many legislators raised the issue of disruption in power supply and expressed fear that the situation would worsen in the coming summer months. Energy minister D K Shivakumar assured them that there will be no problem in summer as far as power supply is concerned.

The meeting was attended by among others KPCC chief G Parameshwara and senior Cabinet ministers.