Bengaluru, Aug 3 (IANS) Karnataka Leader of the Opposition (LoP) R. Ashoka on Monday claimed that the Congress government’s Cabinet expansion had exposed deep divisions within the ruling party, pointing to resignations, protests and expressions of dissent by legislators overlooked for ministerial berths.
Ashoka alleged that the Cabinet exercise had sparked widespread dissatisfaction among Congress leaders and workers across the state.
He claimed that Indi MLA Yashavantharayagouda had resigned, while Sagar MLA Belur Gopalakrishna had announced that he would resign on Tuesday over the developments.
Ashoka further said senior Congress MLA Tanveer Sait had expressed displeasure with the party high command, alleging that ministerial positions had been awarded to those who had worked against the party, while loyal leaders had been ignored.
The BJP leader also referred to protests by supporters of Congress MLA Laxmi Hebbalkar after she was left out of the expanded Cabinet.
According to Ashoka, Congress legislators from Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts, which were not represented in the new Cabinet, are scheduled to hold a meeting on Tuesday amid calls for mass resignations. He also pointed out that Raichur, Yadgir and Karwar districts had not received representation in the Cabinet.
Criticising the Congress government, Ashoka alleged that despite implementing welfare schemes for women such as Gruha Lakshmi and Shakti, it had failed to induct even a single woman into the expanded Cabinet.
The Opposition leader further alleged that the Congress had spent the last three years embroiled in disputes over power‑sharing arrangements and was now facing controversy over the Cabinet expansion. “Even after three years in office, the Congress government has failed to take off,” he alleged.
Ashoka claimed that Karnataka would continue to suffer until the Congress government was voted out, accusing the ruling party of failing to provide stable governance and asserting that the people of the state would hold it accountable.
Bringing an end to months of speculation and prolonged political suspense, the Congress government on Monday finally decided to expand the Karnataka Cabinet, with the party high command approving the induction of 19 legislators as Ministers.
Among the 20 names announced for induction, 19 legislators were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers in the Congress government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar at a ceremony held at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan on Monday, marking the long‑awaited expansion of the State Cabinet.
Although Congress MLC Gayathri Shanthegowda’s name figured in the list of ministers announced by the party, she did not take the oath. Congress insiders said the party high command has kept her berth vacant following strong opposition and rebellion over the Cabinet reshuffle.
–IANS
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