Cong reaches out to Independent MLAs to safeguard govt

In a bid to secure numbers for the coalition government in the Legislative Assembly, the Congress leaders have reached out to two independent MLAs.

The development comes at a time when disgruntled Congress MLAs held discussions with BJP leaders in the state.

While Congress leader and co-ordination committee chairperson Siddaramaiah met MLA from Ranebennur, R Shankar of Karnataka Pragyvantha Janatha Paksha in Delhi, on Saturday, he was also reportedly in touch with Mulbagal MLA H Nagesh.

The attempt to woo these independent MLAs, who had initially extended support to the coalition government before withdrawing the same, is being interpreted as a desperate bid to safeguard the government following the coalition’s dismal performance in the Lok Sabha polls.

Of the two MLAs, Shankar was initially part of the Cabinet as the forest minister, before being dropped.

The two MLAs had come out of the coalition in January this year, amidst allegations by the state government that the BJP was resorting to ‘Operation Kamala’.

Siddaramaiah has convened the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting on May 29 to iron out differences among the MLAs and ensure that nobody quits the party. The party leaders will listen to the legislators’ grievances in the meeting, sources said.

The Congress high command has directed the state leadership to pacify disgruntled MLAs and, if necessary, reshuffle the Cabinet for this purpose.

Meanwhile Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy met Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah at the latter’s residence on Sunday night and discussed political situation.