To save the one-year-old Congress-JD(S) government, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara on Monday made attempts to approach nearly a dozen disgruntled Congress legislators through various channels.
They held an hour-long talk with MLA for Athani Mahesh Kumathalli, associated with the rebel camp, at the State Secretariat and told him that the government would look into all of the camp’s demands, including the induction of Congress leader Ramesh Jarkiholi into the Cabinet, transfer of officials, and development funds for their constituencies. Sources said Mr. Kumaraswamy asked that the message be conveyed to Mr. Jarkiholi.
Sources said the leaders of the coalition government have been weighing their options, including a Cabinet reshuffle and expansion to accommodate the disgruntled Congress legislators.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Kumathalli said, “I am in the Congress and will remain in the Congress.” He scotched rumours that he, along with “rebel” MLAs, planned to move to Goa. He said he has not been seeking a Cabinet berth or the chairman post in any government corporation or board.