Aspirants aplenty for education portfolios in new Cabinet in Karnataka

Bengaluru: The countdown to the formation of the new Cabinet having started, legislators in the Congress are busy lobbying for ministerial berths. For instance, at least three MLCs are reportedly lobbying hard to secure the School Education, and Higher Education portfolios in the new Cabinet.

MLCs Manjunath Bhandary, Puttanna and M R Seetharam, all three of whom have a background in education, are relying on those very credentials to secure either of the two education portfolios.

While Bhandary, who is known to be close to the Congress high command, runs the Sahyadri Group of Institutions in Dakshina Kannada, Seetharam runs the prestigious Ramaiah Group of Institutions, and has served as a minister before. Puttanna, one of the longest-serving legislators, owns the Sadhana Group of Institutions.

Sources said that Bhandary’s chances of securing a Cabinet berth look bright, given his proximity to the high command, and the many important positions he has held in the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

“He has been actively involved in party affairs since his student days. He has held several positions in the National Students’ Union of India and Youth Congress. Given his seniority, the chances of him being inducted into the Cabinet are high,” said a source.

Seetharam, a former minister and two-time MLA, was in New Delhi a few days ago lobbying for a Cabinet berth. “It may be difficult for the party to find a place for Seetharam if it considers the caste calculus,” said another source.

In fact, Basavaraj Rayareddi, who served as the Higher Education Minister during Siddaramaiah’s first term as CM, is reportedly eyeing the same post now. “Although he is a senior, his chances are slim, since there are several aspirants from the Lingayat community,” said a source.

Puttanna too was in New Delhi to confer with the high command leaders and lobby for the School Education portfolio. Caste equations are likely to play spoilsport with his chances as well since there are far too many aspirants in the Vokkaliga community.

On the other hand, the Congress high command is unlikely to unseat Madhu Bangarappa as School Education Minister. Given the reverence Madhu’s father and former CM S Bangarappa is held in, he is likely to retain his position in the new Cabinet as well.

“A few Shivamogga-based leaders are exerting pressure on the party to exclude Madhu from the Cabinet, but it is unlikely that the high command will yield to them,” said another source.

Senior leader B K Hariprasad is yet another contender for the School Education Minister’s position. “Hariprasad’s induction may spell bad news for Madhu. But the high command is contemplating elevating Hariprasad to the AICC, and sending him to the Rajya Sabha,” the source added.