JD(S) draws up plan to placate its upset MLCs, leaders

The JD(S), which had failed to induct any of its MLCs in the H D Kumaraswamy Cabinet, has now found a way to make at least some of them happy.

The party had earned the wrath of its MLCs, after it had sidelined them during the first round of expansion of Council of Ministers.

At that time, the party had assured the MLCs that it would accommodate them suitably in the government.

Not just that. The party has also decided to oblige four of its defeated MLAs and one MLC.

It is said that while newly-elected MLC B M Farookh is going to be inducted into the Cabinet in the next round of expansion, another MLC and party veteran Basavaraj Horatti is tipped to be the next chairman of the Legislative Council.

Former MLC Ramesh Babu who recently lost his from the South East Teachers’ constituency might be nominated to the Upper House, sources added.

Political secretaries

The party has decided to appoint one of the defeated MLAs as a political secretary to the chief minister.

It is learnt that defeated MLAs Madhu Bangarappa (Sorab) and Suresh Babu (Chikkanayakanahalli) are in the race for the post.

While Madhu enjoys the confidence of Kumaraswamy, Babu happens to be the brother-in-law of Cooperation Minister Bandeppa Kashempur. Incidentally, Kashempur too is in the good books of both Kumaraswamy and Gowda.

Kumaraswamy’s predecessor Siddaramaiah had appointed MLC K Govindaraj as his political secretary.

Meanwhile, the coalition partners have decided to appoint 10 new parliamentary secretaries.

Sources said that JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda has already discussed the names with AICC general secretary in-charge of K C Venugopal.

While the JD(S) gets to appoint 4 parliamentary secretaries; the Congress will appoint the remaining six, added sources.

The JD(S) is said to be considering defeated MLAs Y S V Datta (Kadur) and N H Konaraddi (Navalgund) for these positions.

Sources said that MLC T A Sharavana and JD(S) national general secretary Zafrullah Khan are also in the race for this position.