Karnataka cabinet formation: Congress pitches ‘rotation’ plan as party MLAs upset over portfolio allocation

Bengaluru: Admitting that there some “tension” over the allocation of portfolios in the Karnataka cabinet, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy told news agency ANI on Friday that he was hopeful that the Congress would take the “right” decision. Meanwhile, according to media reports, Congress ministers may be replaced after two years and non-performing ministers could be dropped if their six-monthly assessment is not up to the mark.

Kumaraswamy told news agency ANI: “Yes, there is some tension there, but I am confident that the Congress leaders will take the right decision.” He was responding to reports that some Congress leaders were unhappy over the allocation of portfolios.

The rotation plan is the Congress’ way to keep its party’s ministers on their toes and not take their position for granted. "This is not the final cabinet. The ministers' performance will be reviewed every six months and those not meeting targets will be asked to go,” K C Venugopal, the Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka, told The Times of India. “ For the time-being, no first-time MLA will be inducted into the cabinet. The six berths which have not been filled will be kept on hold. The ministers' tenure is on a rotation basis for two years.” 

Senior Karnataka Congress leader D K Shivakumar also admitted that some Congress leaders were unhappy over the portfolio allocation. “It is obvious that the senior leaders were hurt. Congress party has kept all options open to fill the vacancies and it will be done soon. I have belief in party high command. We have to build confidence among party workers,”  Shivakumar told ANI.