<p class="title rtejustify">"What have I studied? I'm working as the chief minister" - this was Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy response today as he dismissed questions on allocating Higher Education portfolio to a minister who has studied till class 8.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Kumaraswamy, who holds a BSc degree, was asked about JD(S) minister G T Devegowda reportedly being upset at being given the higher education portfolio, especially as his own formal education has been limited.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">G T Devegowda, who emerged as a giant killer defeating former chief minister Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysuru in the May 12 assembly polls, was said to be eyeing key portfolios, according to party sources.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Reacting to the issue, Kumaraswamy, 59, said, "Some people will have a wish to work in certain departments, but in every department, there is an opportunity to work efficiently. We have to work efficiently."</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">"Is there a better department than Higher Education and Minor Irrigation to work?"</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">On reported comments by G T Devegowda about being given Higher Education, when he was just studied till the eighth standard, the chief minister said, "What have I studied? I'm working as the chief minister."</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">"Should I give Finance?"....there will be demand for certain ministries, but certain decisions are made internally in the party," he told reporters here, adding that such wishes of becoming a minister first and then wanting certain specific portfolios are common.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Earlier, the chief minister had drawn flak for saying he was at the "mercy" of the Congress and not the people. Kumaraswamy later said he never meant to show disrespect to the people of the state."What I meant was so long as they (Congress) support me I can continue. So, whatever programmes we have to pursue, I will be at the mercy of Congress."</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Kumaraswamy had last night allocated portfolios but it has left some upset including G T Devegowda and C S Puttaraju, who got the Minor Irrigation portfolio.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Kumaraswamy retained the key Finance department, as also Energy with him while giving Home to his deputy G Parameshwara of the Congress.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The chief minister had inducted 25 new ministers on June 6, including those from his party JD(S), Congress, BSP, and the fledgeling KPJP.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The JD(S) leader became the chief minister after the Congress offered support to the party to keep out the BJP. In the 225-member Assembly, including one nominated, the Congress has 78 MLAs, the JDS has 36 and the BJP 104, with three others.</p>
<p class="title rtejustify">"What have I studied? I'm working as the chief minister" - this was Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy response today as he dismissed questions on allocating Higher Education portfolio to a minister who has studied till class 8.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Kumaraswamy, who holds a BSc degree, was asked about JD(S) minister G T Devegowda reportedly being upset at being given the higher education portfolio, especially as his own formal education has been limited.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">G T Devegowda, who emerged as a giant killer defeating former chief minister Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysuru in the May 12 assembly polls, was said to be eyeing key portfolios, according to party sources.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Reacting to the issue, Kumaraswamy, 59, said, "Some people will have a wish to work in certain departments, but in every department, there is an opportunity to work efficiently. We have to work efficiently."</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">"Is there a better department than Higher Education and Minor Irrigation to work?"</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">On reported comments by G T Devegowda about being given Higher Education, when he was just studied till the eighth standard, the chief minister said, "What have I studied? I'm working as the chief minister."</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">"Should I give Finance?"....there will be demand for certain ministries, but certain decisions are made internally in the party," he told reporters here, adding that such wishes of becoming a minister first and then wanting certain specific portfolios are common.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Earlier, the chief minister had drawn flak for saying he was at the "mercy" of the Congress and not the people. Kumaraswamy later said he never meant to show disrespect to the people of the state."What I meant was so long as they (Congress) support me I can continue. So, whatever programmes we have to pursue, I will be at the mercy of Congress."</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Kumaraswamy had last night allocated portfolios but it has left some upset including G T Devegowda and C S Puttaraju, who got the Minor Irrigation portfolio.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">Kumaraswamy retained the key Finance department, as also Energy with him while giving Home to his deputy G Parameshwara of the Congress.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The chief minister had inducted 25 new ministers on June 6, including those from his party JD(S), Congress, BSP, and the fledgeling KPJP.</p>.<p class="bodytext rtejustify">The JD(S) leader became the chief minister after the Congress offered support to the party to keep out the BJP. In the 225-member Assembly, including one nominated, the Congress has 78 MLAs, the JDS has 36 and the BJP 104, with three others.</p>