Pramesh S Jain
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday appealed to legislators to remain patient over ministerial berths,asserting that all Congress MLAs were capable of serving as ministers and assuring that women would be given representation in the Cabinet.
Addressing reporters after chairing a nearly two-hour Cabinet meeting with the newly inducted ministers, Shivakumar said he had issued guidelines to the ministers and directed them to begin work immediately.
“I have asked all the ministers to begin their work from tomorrow itself.There are a lot of capable people.
We have 136 MLAs,and all of them are eligible.The party has taken a decision and entrusted us with this responsibility,”he said.
Referring to dissatisfaction among some legislators left out of the Cabinet,Shivakumar said deserving leaders had missed out on ministerial positions in the past as well.
“There were times when even I was not inducted into the Cabinet, but we all waited patiently.I request all my friends to be patient,”he said.
Responding to questions on meetings held by disappointed MLAs after the Cabinet expansion and the absence of women ministers,the Chief Minister said the government would address those concerns.
“We will do the needful on those matters.We will also give representation to women.If there are no women, then our party is incomplete,”he said.
On reports of differences within the Congress, Shivakumar dismissed speculation and stressed that the party leadership was united.
“We have all sat together and decided.It was his birthday.We are one team.I am also a follower of Siddaramaiah,”he said.
The Chief Minister said the Cabinet also discussed the Cauvery water dispute and the prevailing drought situation in the state.
Referring to the ongoing legal battle over the Cauvery river water-sharing issue, Shivakumar said Karnataka had the backing of leaders across party lines.
“I know Tamil Nadu has moved the Supreme Court. I don’t want to question that I took the all-party leaders into confidence.
All of them stand with us.They stand with the entire state.All Union ministers,MPs and opposition leaders support us. Even the rain god supported us,”he said.
