New Delhi:
Amid Congress-JDS cold war over portfolio allocation in Karnataka cabinet, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday met a group of disgruntled MLAs under the leadership of MB Patil in Delhi but the talks to solve the differences remained inconclusive.
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president Dinesh Gundu and new cabinet minister Krishna Byre Gowda were present in the meeting.
Following his meeting with the Congress chief, Patil said, "I shared my views with Rahul Gandhi and explained the state's situation. I have not demanded anything".
"I am not alone, many friends are together with me. I will share with them what happened in the meeting and then decide next plan of action," Patil added.
Talking about the latest developments Gowda said, "We are trying to resolve the differences. The process is on at the moment. No decision has been taken yet". The consultations are still underway with state leaders, he added.
Read | Karnataka Cabinet Expansion: Kumaraswamy ministry expanded, 25 members inducted
Meanwhile, a group of dissatisfied senior Congress leaders along with several other MLAs have also called for a meeting on Tuesday. The next plan of action will be decided after the meeting with the MLAs, who are unhappy with the Cabinet expansion, that took place on June 6.
Senior Karnataka Congress leaders & several other MLAs have called for a meeting on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/e2DXTh6zET
— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2018
Amid this political tension, Karnataka Gadag minister HK Patil said, "Our workers are unhappy and protesting, under that circumstances how can you be happy? I will take up their feelings to high command and convey what they told me".
The discontented Congress leaders, however, have no plans to quit the Congress and promised to stay loyal with the party.
Read | Karnataka Cabinet: Injustices has been done over portfolio allocation, says Mallikarjun Kharge
The JDS-Congress cabinet was expanded on June 6 with the induction of 25 new ministers, after intense bargaining for ministerial berths.
The much-awaited exercise has caused heartburn among several lawmakers in the coalition while supporters of some of the ministerial aspirants staged protests.
(With inputs from agencies)
