Congress like-minded legislators’ meeting put off

In a big relief to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, the meeting of like-minded Congress legislators scheduled on Tuesday has been postponed in view of the upcoming byelections to Kundgol and Chincholi Assembly constituencies.

Yeshwantpur Congress MLA S T Somashekar had convened the meeting of like-minded legislators to register their protest against Kumaraswamy’s style of functioning.

The like-minded legislators, especially those in the old Mysuru region, are upset with Kumaraswamy for neglecting them as far as the development of their constituencies
are concerned and promoting the JD(S) leaders in those places.

Many of the Congress legislators, who are heading various boards and corporations and who are appointed as parliamentary secretaries, are said to be feeling suffocated because of interference from the Chief Minister’s Office. Somashekar, who is also BDA chairman, had recently stated that he has no freedom for discharging his duties.

Sources in the Congress said the aggrieved legislators had repeatedly informed about these issues to the party leaders in the past. They had also sought the leaders’ permission to raise them openly in the interest of the party. The leaders had, however, asked the legislators to have patience till the Lok Sabha elections. The like-minded legislators have been again asked to put off their meeting till the byelections are over, the sources added.

Though Somashekar’s move has indirect support of the party, it is also seen as an effort by coordination committee chairman Siddaramaiah to keep the JD(S) partner at tenterhooks.

For Somashekar and his MLA friends who are planning the like-minded legislators’ meeting are the close followers of Siddaramaiah.

Speaking to reporters, Somashekar said he is not a disgruntled MLA. “There are certain problems pertaining to the functioning of boards and corporations. We want to raise those issues. But it shouldn’t be construed as dissident activities or pressure tactics,” he added.

Informal meeting

Meanwhile, allaying the fears, Coalition Coordination Committee chairman Siddaramaiah said that Yeshwantpur Congress MLA S T Somashekar had convened a meeting of party legislators to discuss the issues pertaining to their constituencies.

Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, Siddaramaiah said, the meeting was not called due to any discontent. “Somashekar has postponed the meeting after KPCC president told him it’s not right to hold it during elections,” he said.