New Delhi: The Congress High Command had planned to induct 25 MLAs in first instalment as ministers to be sworn in along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D. K., Shivakumar. But the fight between both leaders resulted in Cabinet size being reduced to 8. Both the leaders forgot the High Command’s instruction to ‘work together’ and they became stubborn, thus reducing the numbers middle of the night.
Congress High Command had formulated a formula that the disatisfied MLAs should be appeased by keeping seven seats vacant. The elders had sent a message to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar about this. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar arrived in New Delhi in a special flight on May 19 afternoon along with the lists of Cabinet inductees from their factions. They showed that they have unity and met Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi as well as the party’s National General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and discussed at length.
A meeting was held at 9.00 pm on May 19 under the leadership of Party General Secretary K. C. Venugopal and State In-Charge Randeep Singh Surjewala to finalise the list of Cabinet Ministers. The meeting continued till 12 midnight but the crisis was not resolved. Although the national leaders tries persuading, the two leaders did not relax their grip.
The names of M. B. Patil, Krishna Byregowda, Dinesh Gundurao, H. C. Mahadevappa, and Zameer Ahmed Khan were in the list of candidates brought by Siddaramaiah. As soon as Shivakumar saw Zameer’s name, it is said he objected strongly. “While agreeing to the post of Deputy Chief Minister, I had put many conditions. I told at that time that Zameer Ahmed , Basavaraja Rayardi and K. N. Rajanna should not be included in the Cabinet. National leaders agreed to that,” he maintained. This issue was also brought to Siddaramaiah’s attention, he added.
Sources said that Shivakumar questioned Siddu despite knowing all this, why Zameer’s name was included.
“Zameer has travelled across the state and campaigned for the election. He is also the reason for the victory of party in many constituencies, Siddaramaiah asserted and added that if he is not included in the Cabinet, it will send a wrong message.
Shivakumar reminded Zameer’s earlier statements and High Command notices. He also said that he will create more and more controversies. “He has already been a minister twice. Shantinagar MLA N. A. Harris should be given a chance in Bengaluru’s quota instead of him,’ he is said to have insisted.
Siddaramaiah opposed Harris’s inclusion. Shiva Kumar said that let’s drop the two names and include U. T. Khader in the Cabinet. Khader was the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly. He has to be given a chance. However, Zameer should be included in the cabinet, said Siddaramaiah. At this time, Venugopal and Surjewala intervened and cleared the air. Shiva Kumar agreed for inclusion of Zameer.
When Dinesh Gundurao was the President of KPCC, the party won only one seat in the Lok Sabha elections. Shivakumar asserted that new faces should be given a chance. Shivakumar objected to names of Krishna Bairegowda and Mahadevappa. Siddaramaiah also objected to some of the names in Shivakumar’s list. Siddaramaiah objected to inclusion of B. K. Hariprasad in to Cabinet. M Shivakumar did not agree to drop Hariprasad’s name. The two leaders did not agree on this issue. Sources said that Shivakumar asserted that original Congress leaders should be given more priority in the Cabinet.
After a long consultation, the list was finalised at 12 midnight. The names of 14 ministers were finalised. Siddaramaiah returned to the hotel where he was staying. Shivakumar stayed at Venugopal’s house and discussed. Siddaramaiah, who got a hint that there will be a change in the list of ministers, again rushed to Venugopal’s house within a few moments. Another round of meeting was held in the presence of national leaders. Finally, the two leaders agreed to induct eight members into the cabinet. It was 2.20 am in the night. Siddaramaiah left for Bangalore late at night with list. Shivakumar left for Bangalore on Saturday morning. Both the leaders who had come to New Delhi together left for Bengaluru, separately.