After Congress, Now Rumblings Within The JD(S): Giant Killer GT Deve Gowda Upset Among Others

Now that HD Kumaraswamy is Karnataka Chief Minister (CM), one would have thought that he is a happy man. But that does not appear to be the case. In fact, ever since he took over office, his problems have only been mounting. The CM now faces dissension from various quarters given the kind of aspirations among legislators for ‘plum portfolios’. Whoever thought, with even a ray of hope, that politics actually presents an opportunity to work for the people and contribute to development as a few sincere leaders may believe, will soon have to disabuse themselves of such grandiose thinking, given the kind of lobbying that is under way for various positions in the Karnataka government, as if they were to be ranked in terms of importance.

In the aftermath of news reports that farmer leader and JD(S) MLA CS Puttaraju was unhappy with being given the minor irrigation portfolio, here’s another shocker: JD(S) MLA GT Deve Gowda, who defeated former CM Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari, is unhappy at being given the higher education ministry portfolio, as he feels he is ‘not fit’ for the role and needs a ministry where there is ‘more politician-to-people contact’, according to a report in the Star of Mysore.

Kumaraswamy has now moved to placate these two leaders, by offering ministries which he holds close to his chest. Currently, Kumaraswamy holds charge of as many as 11 ministries.