Siddaramaiah downplays discontent in Congress

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday sought to downplay discontent among a section of Congress leaders on recent nominations to boards and corporations, saying that there was no confusion in this regard.

Speaking to reporters after garlanding the statue of late Kengal Hanumanthaiah at Vidhana Soudha, he said the nominations have been done as per the party high command’s direction. Even the decision on fixing 18 months tenure was taken by the high command, he added. Housing Minister H M Ambareesh had recently expressed displeasure over the selection of names for the nominations from Mandya district.

He had said the chief minister did not consult him while finalising the names from Mandya.

Siddaramaiah further said the process to nominate heads and members to various urban development authorities is underway. Besides, a list of names to head boards and corporations for the next 18 months tenure will be prepared shortly, he added.

Asked whether he was planning to expand his council of ministers before the winter session of the legislature, the chief minister said there was no such direction from the high command.