Randeep Surjewala meets ministers, discusses about MLAs’ grievances

In continuation of his extensive grievance-redressal meetings with party MLAs, AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala concluded his 3-day-long individual meetings on Wednesday by meeting ministers.

MLAs are said to have aired their grievances with Surjewala, including complaints against some ministers and the need for more funds for constituency development.

The meetings assume significance as they come at a time when there have been widespread talks about one-upmanship for the chief minister’s post between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar. Sources told DH that Surjewala mainly met those ministers against whom the MLAs had made complaints.

Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy met the AICC general secretary on Wednesday.

“Some 60-70 MLAs had met Surjewala and aired their grievances. Concerning the Transport Department, there have been demands for buses from a couple of MLAs. Some 4-5 MLAs have asked for bus stands. Surjewala conveyed it to me,” Reddy told
DH.

Explaining that he had referred to the CM’s budgetary announcement of 2,000 buses, Reddy pointed out that he had told Surjewala that these demands would be fulfilled once buses were available in 4-5 months.

He also noted that some grants from the 2025-26 Budget would be given for the bus stands.

However, the minister explained that there hadn’t been any political discussions.

Other ministers, such as Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy, Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre and others met Surjewala on Wednesday.

M B Patil told reporters that Surjewala had asked him about the progress of the Industries Department and the decision on dropping the acquisition of 1,777 acres of farmers’ land in Devanahalli taluk. “He is satisfied with the progress achieved so far,” the minister said.

However, some ministers, including K H Muniyappa, Shivanand Patil, Dr M C Sudhakar, Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, K N Rajanna, and R B Thimmapur, didn’t meet Surjewala.