Karnataka MLCs to meet Sonia for cabinet berths

Upset at not being assigned a single ministerial berth in the newly elected chief minister Siddaramaiah’s cabinet, Congress members of the Karnataka Legislative Council (Upper House) arrived in Delhi on Sunday to plead their case with party chief Sonia Gandhi.

Upset at not being assigned a single ministerial berth in the newly elected chief minister Siddaramaiah’s cabinet, Congress members of the Karnataka Legislative Council (Upper House) arrived in Delhi on Sunday to plead their case with party chief Sonia Gandhi.

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While senior leaders like Motamma, SR Patil camped in the Capital, Siddaramaiah, who was in Mysore, assured that MLCs would be provided cabinet berths .

Former leader of Opposition in the Council Motamma maintained that it was a “constitutional obligation’’ on the part of the CM to provide cabinet berths (to MLCs) in accordance with the strength of the ruling party in the Upper House.

Sources in the party said the chief minister gave preference to MLAs over MLCs as he felt the directly elected representatives would help the party gain more seats in the Lok Sabha elections.

Many Congress MLAs who are unhappy with the selection of ministers in the newly created cabinet are also in the Capital.

“Important portfolios have been given to Siddaramaiah’s friends and this is not a good development,” said a senior MLA, who did not want to be named.