Karnataka CM holds meetings with Congress MLAs

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday held separate meetings with legislators in the state to address the concerns raised by disgruntled legislators. The step comes days after a group of legislators expressed their dissatisfaction over alleged negligence and lack of response from cabinet ministers on matters related to release of funds and transfer of officers, among others.

To address the situation, the chief minister conducted separate meetings with MLAs at the Vidhana Soudha throughout the day. From 11 am to 2 pm, Siddaramaiah met with MLAs, ministers, and in-charges from Tumakuru, Yadgir, and Chitradurga districts. In the evening, from 4 pm to 7 pm, he held meetings with MLAs, representatives, and concerned ministers from Bagalkot, Ballary, and Dharwad districts.

“The party has taken the proactive approach to address any issues MLAs have at an early stage by organising these meetings. The goal is to ensure we work as a unit ahead of the Lok Sabha election. The MLAs from the respective districts were given a fair opportunity to voice their opinions on the ministers, highlighting any issues or problems they are facing,” said a senior Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office bearer, requesting anonymity.

According to the leader, Siddaramaiah aims to ensure maximum cooperation among the ministers and has received valuable feedback from the MLAs.

During the discussions, the chief minister requested the MLAs not to press for immediate funds allocation for developmental activities. Instead, the party’s priority lies in delivering on all five guarantee schemes and implementing major projects in the state.

“We are all united. We came here to discuss development in our respective constituencies. To our demands, the chief minister has responded positively. Regarding the allocations, whatever they can give they have given and he has assured that more funds will be allocated in the next budget,” said Challakere MLA D Sudhakar after the meeting.

A letter allegedly written by Congress MLA BR Patil on July 24and 11 other party legislators had alleged various concerns against cabinet ministers, including lack of response and funds. However, Patil has claimed that the letter is fake and has lodged a police complaint regarding the same.

Meanwhile, the top Congress leadership discussed the party’s strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with senior party leaders from Karnataka on Wednesday, in New Delhi.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi participated in the discussions, along with Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar, and All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in-charge for Karnataka, Randeep Surjewala. The meetings in Bengaluru are said to be a result of the discussions held in New Delhi to address the concerns of MLAs.

Hungud MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar, who attended the meeting, said that the government has called for the meeting to ensure there is good governance in the state. “The previous government had not done any development in our region claiming Covid and others. Today (Monday) we had a fruitful discussion about what can be done for our region,” said the leader from Bagalkote.

HD Ranganath, an MLA from Kunigal said that he reminded the chief minister about the promises the party had made to his constituency. “I am very happy that our voices were heard and responded to,” he said refusing the comments on the concerns over transfers of officers and lack of funds raised by other MLAs.