Karnataka Cong struggles with problems of dissent and portfolio allocation

Agencies
December 27, 2018

Bengaluru, Dec 27: Portfolios of newly inducted ministers of the H D Kumaraswamy-led coalition cabinet is likely to be announced on Thursday, party leaders said, as they grappled with problems of dissent and portfolio allocation.

The leaders also sought to play down the dissidence within the party, even as efforts were on to quell the disgruntlement that had emerged after the recent rejig.

Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal held a series of meetings on portfolio allocation, which has become another concern as the new ministers lobbied for plum departments.

Several senior ministers were not willing to shed key portfolios they hold, adding to the worry, party sources said.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the Congress legislature party leader Siddaramaiah, KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao and deputy chief minister G Parameshwara among others, Venugopal said the portfolio list is being sent to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, for his approval.

"On portfolio allocation of new ministers, I have discussed with the leaders and took their view. It will now be going for the approval of the Congress President, who will clear it very soon," he said.

Terming the meeting as "fruitful", Rao said Venugopal was likely to meet Gandhi on Wednesday evening or night in Delhi and the Congress chief will finalise the portfolio allocation.

He said reports about ministers holding two or three portfolios not willing to give up some key departments for others were "unnecessary speculation."

According to reports, the meeting between top party leaders on Wednesday was not cordial, as Parameshwara expressed displeasure after Siddaramaiah asked him to give up some key portfolios.

He currently has departments of home, Bengaluru city related affairs, youth affairs and sports.

Denying such reports, Rao said, "Everything has been discussed in a very good manner, I too saw reports about some clash ... they are all baseless. Some sections of media have also said that portfolios have been decided and they are out with a list. From our side all proposals are there, ultimate decision will be taken by Congress president Rahul Gandhi in consultation with Venugopal and us. I think by tomorrow you will have the announcement," he added.

The leaders also sought to play down Ramesh Jarkiholi's threat to quit as party MLA after being dropped as minister, and open expression of displeasure by another senior legislator Ramalinga Reddy on not being considered during the ministry expansion.

"You don't worry about anything, our house is very much intact, everybody will be in Congress itself and nothing will happen," Venugopal said in response to a question.

Calling Ramesh Jarkiholi a "good leader", he expressed confidence that he will remain in the Congress.

Reddy is also a "loyal" Congress leader, the party general secretary said, adding that "definitely, we will honour him and nothing will happen."

In an effort to quell the dissidence, Siddaramaiah had on Tuesday met Reddy and tried to pacify him, but could not get in touch with Ramesh Jarkiholi since he is incommunicado.

According to Congress sources, Venugopal, who met a delegation of Reddy's supporters including Bengaluru Mayor and corporators, convinced them to wait till Lok Sabha polls.

However, he has given the task of convincing Ramesh Jarkiholi to his brother and newly inducted minister Satish Jarkiholi.

"I will meet him (Ramesh) today or tomorrow ... I will find him and meet him," Satish Jarkiholi told reporters.

As Ramesh Jarkiholi is likely to make public his decision to quit as Congress MLA on Thursday, Rao, describing him as "hundred per cent Congress man", said he has got "Congress blood in him, so I don't see him going to a communal party like BJP."

Ramesh Jarkiholi, accused of hobnobbing with the BJP, along with R Shankar, an Independent lawmaker who showed reluctance to be an associate member of the Congress, were dropped during the rejig.

In the much-awaited exercise, the six-month old Congress-JD(S) coalition ministry headed by Kumaraswamy was expanded Saturday with the induction of eight members from the national party.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
October 12,2024

seven.jpg

Udupi: In a significant operation, the Malpe police have arrested seven Bangladeshi nationals who were illegally residing in India using forged Aadhaar cards. Udupi Superintendent of Police, Dr. Arun K, stated that the arrests followed after an immigration incident involving one of the group's members.

Muhammed Manik, one of the arrested individuals, was caught attempting to travel to Dubai via Mangaluru International Airport with a fake passport. Alert immigration officers at the airport detained him and handed him over to the Bajpe police, who registered a case. Following this, the Udupi police, acting on the information provided by the Bajpe police and immigration authorities, conducted an investigation that led to the arrest of the seven individuals in Hoode village, Paduthonse, Udupi.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Hakeem Ali (24), Sujon S K alias Farooq (19), Ismail S K (30), Kareem S K (20), Salam S K (22), Rajikul S K (20), and Mohammed Sojib (20), all hailing from Bangladesh.

The group entered India without any valid documentation and managed to acquire fake Aadhaar cards, which they used to stay in the country illegally. According to police sources, a person named Kajol from Agartala assisted them in obtaining the fraudulent Aadhaar cards, while a Bangladeshi named Usman facilitated their illegal entry into India under the guise of employment. Both Kajol and Usman are currently at large.

The Malpe police have registered cases under several sections, including Sections 19(2), 318(4), 336(2), 336(3), 340(2), and 190 of the BNS, related to fraud and illegal entry. Interrogations are ongoing as the police seek further details in connection with the case.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
October 7,2024

Screenshot_20241007-115926_Chrome.jpg

Mangaluru, Oct 7: In a heartbreaking turn of events, the search for Mumtaz Ali, chairman of Misbah Group of Educational Institutions, ended with the discovery of his mortal remains in the Phalguni river near Kulur. The somber discovery came after an exhaustive search, leaving a community in shock and sorrow.

He is the younger brother of former MLA Mohuiddin Bawa and former MLC B M Farookh. 

The incident has taken a deeply distressing turn with the filing of an FIR against six individuals, including a woman, who are accused of pushing Ali to a tragic end. 

The accused allegedly blackmailed Ali, fabricating a story about his involvement in an illicit relationship with the woman. Reports suggest that they extorted Rs 50 lakh from Ali and were unrelenting, demanding an additional Rs 50 lakh from him, casting a shadow over his final days.

The complaint, lodged by Ali’s grieving brother, accuses these individuals of driving him to despair through relentless blackmail and false accusations, ultimately leading him to take the tragic step.

In the early hours of Sunday, Ali left his home at 3 am, heading towards Suratkal, perhaps seeking some solace. A minor accident occurred when his car collided with a private bus near MCF. Despite the mishap, he offered a heartfelt apology to the bus driver and conductor—a gesture that now echoes with the pain of his unspoken struggles. After the collision, Ali made a U-turn near Panambur circle, driving back towards Kulur bridge, where his journey came to a sorrowful end.

Ali’s last moments hold an even deeper sadness, as he left behind a voice message in Byari, naming an individual who had been tormenting him mentally. Sent to his daughter and a close friend, the message revealed the unbearable burden he was carrying, hinting at his final decision to end his suffering.

This tragic loss has left the community and his loved ones grappling with unanswered questions and a profound sense of grief. As the investigation unfolds, the memory of Mumtaz Ali lingers, a reminder of the silent battles that too often go unseen.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
October 8,2024

Mangaluru: The by-election to the legislative council from the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi local authorities' constituency will be a contest among four candidates. An independent candidate, Muhammed Riyaz, has withdrawn his nomination on Monday, the last day for withdrawal.

Deputy commissioner Mullai Muhilan MP stated that candidates Kishore BR (BJP), Raju Poojary (Congress), Anwar Sadat S (SDPI), and Dinakar Ullal (independent) will be in the fray. 

Polling will be held at 392 booths in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts between 8am and 4pm on Oct 21.

A total of 6,032 voters from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are eligible to vote. While there will be 234 polling booths in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi will have 158 stations. Gram panchayat members, corporators of the Mangaluru City Corporation, members of city municipal councils, town municipal councils, town panchayats, MLAs, MLCs, and Lok Sabha members are eligible to vote.

Election observer of the Election Commission of India (ECI), Pankaj Kumar Pandey, reviewed the poll preparations at the deputy commissioner's office on Monday. He issued directions to officials regarding arrangements to be made during the election and counting of votes.

The deputy commissioner stated that out of 6,032 voters, 3,127 are women and 2,905 are men. He said the counting of votes will be held at St Aloysius PU College in the city on Oct 24.

Udupi deputy commissioner Vidya Kumari K, city police commissioner Anupam Agrawal, Dakshina Kannada ZP CEO Anandh K, Dakshina Kannada SP Yathish N, Udupi SP Arun K, and additional deputy commissioners Santhosh Kumar G and Mamatha Devi were present.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.