Karnataka: Mutt heads, community outfits lobby hard for positions in new government

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar is said to have carried a list of his supporters for Cabinet berths in the new government even as he lobbied hard for the top post for the past 48 hours. Several supporters of both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have been in touch with their leaders, hoping to find a place in the new cabinet.

There are some leaders including former ministers MB Patil and G Parameshwara, who have said they are also in the race for the CM’s post. These demands will at least ensure coveted portfolios or even Dy CM positions for them, party sources said.

The Congress has 135 members of its own in the 224-member assembly besides the support of two independents and one from the Sarvodaya Party. Fifty plus members are first timers, but more than 75 are seniors and several of them are former ministers.


Meanwhile, heads of different mutts and community organisations have been issuing statements demanding their community leaders be considered for the posts of CM and dy CM.

Many MLAs are said to have also approached their local mutts to use their clout with the top Congress leaders to get them a position in the new ministry.

Swami Nirmalananda Natha, the Head of Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt, the influential religious seat of Vokkaligas, has said Shivakumar should get the post. The KPCC president belongs to the community, which is also the second largest in Karnataka after Lingayats.

The heads of Kuruba mutts demanded that the position should go to Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, a member of the community.

Soon after these statements emerged, other community mutt heads including that of Lingayat have also voiced their demand. Lingayats are the largest community followed by Vokkaligas.

Belagavi-based Rudrakshi mutt head Allamaprabhu Swami has asked for CM's post for Lingayats. Veteran Congress leader and Veerashaiva -Lingayat Mahasabha president Shamnur Shivashankarappa has sought the CM's post for a member of the community. He had earlier said the Mahasabha would demand the post for the community if the party won with the maximum number of Lingayats.

Dalit outfits in Tumakuru have sought CM's post for senior leader G Parameshwar. Valmiki (ST) community leaders have asked for the CM's post for KPCC working president Satish Jharkiholi.