Nagendra’s exit revives lobbying for Cabinet berth in Karnataka Congress

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With Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar accepting B. Nagendra’s resignation, the two positions in the Karnataka Cabinet are now vacant. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

With Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar accepting B. Nagendra’s resignation, the Congress is set to witness renewed lobbying for Cabinet berths, with two positions now lying vacant.

Mr. Shivakumar said he would forward Mr. Nagendra’s resignation to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot for formal acceptance. Mr. Nagendra, who held the Planning and Statistics portfolio, submitted his resignation on Friday over allegations of involvement in the embezzlement of funds from the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Ltd.

Party sources said one of the two vacancies is likely to be filled by a woman legislator. MLA for Sandur E. Annapurna Tukaram, wife of MP for Ballari E. Tukaram, is seen as a strong contender, as she belongs to the same district and the Scheduled Tribes community as Mr. Nagendra.

Former Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, however, continues to hope for a return to the Cabinet. MLA for Mudigere Nayana Motamma and MLC Arati Krishna, who has handled the Congress’s overseas outreach, are also lobbying for the women’s slot.

The other vacancy could see a fresh contest among aspirants. MLA for Byadgi Basavaraj Shivannanavar, who enjoys the backing of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is considered a strong contender.

Mr. Siddaramaiah is learnt to have opposed the induction of MLC Gayatri Shanthegowda, preferring a Kuruba leader from North Karnataka to represent the community in the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, former Minister B. Sriramulu said on Saturday that the Bharatiya Janata Party will go ahead with its scheduled 10-day march from Raichur to Ballari beginning September 1.

Mr. Sriramulu, who lost to Mr. Nagendra in the last Assembly polls, said the saffron party decided to continue with its plan despite Mr. Nagendra resigning. The padayatra will begin at Lingasugur on September 1 and conclude in Ballari on September 10, covering nine Assembly constituencies.

Mr. Sriramulu also said that the party was prepared to accept the challenge thrown by Mr. Nagendra to face him in the “people’s court” but sought to know why Mr. Nagendra was “in a hurry.”

Speaking at a separate press conference, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok said the party had fought continuously for eight days from the start of the session and “taught Congress a lesson.”

In Mysuru, talking about the developments around Mr. Nagendra’s resignation and the proposed BJP padayatra, Mr. Shivakumar said the Opposition was more interested in political confrontation than discussing issues such as drought and the Cauvery water dispute.

“The BJP is unable to digest that I have become the Chief Minister. For this reason, they are creating unnecessary ruckus. Even their proposed padayatra is nothing but a political programme,” he said.