Bengaluru: Five days after 19 ministers were sworn into the cabinet, portfolio allocation remained pending Friday as chief minister DK Shivakumar balanced competing demands for key departments while simultaneously trying to contain growing discontent within the ruling Congress ahead of the assembly’s Monsoon session.The delay has triggered intense lobbying for influential portfolios such as finance, social welfare, labour, planning and higher education, with several newly inducted ministers openly expressing their preferences.Newly inducted minister Basavaraja Rayareddi publicly staked claim to the finance department even without key powers, citing his experience as former finance adviser to former Cm Siddaramaiah. “I have worked as the finance adviser. The party would have assessed everyone’s strengths. If the Finance portfolio is given to me, I will appreciate it. I am interested only in tax collection. Let the CM prepare and present the Budget. I do not even want transfer powers. The CM can retain the authority to transfer everyone from a peon to an IAS officer,” Rayareddi told reporters. He said he was also interested in the Planning Department, noting that implementation of the Govindarao Committee report was a priority for him.According to party sources, newly inducted ministers P Narendraswamy and Shivaraj Tangadgi are both keen on the Social Welfare Department, while Food and Civil Supplies Minister K.H. Muniyappa has already publicly expressed dissatisfaction with his current portfolio and is seeking a more significant department.Political activity remained centred in Bengaluru, with several ministers staying back in the state capital to pursue their claims for key departments. Party sources said ministers KS Basavanthappa and SS Mallikarjun, both from Davanagere district, have continued to remain in Bengaluru for discussions with the leadership despite Chief Minister Shivakumar asking ministers to visit their districts and assess the prevailing drought situation.The leadership is also closely watching a dinner meeting proposed by dissatisfied MLAs in Bengaluru on Aug 13, the day the assembly’s Monsoon session begins. Party sources said around 40 MLAs are expected to meet on the opening day of the session, a development that could prove politically embarrassing for the government if internal differences remain unresolved.Shivakumar continuedhis firefighting with dissidence, H met seven-time MLA TB Jayachandra, who has publicly criticised the composition of the new cabinet, calling it “a matter of shame”.According to party insiders, Jayachandra has also threatened to write to the assembly Speaker seeking seating arrangements alongside the Opposition benches, reflecting his dissatisfaction over being denied a cabinet berth.Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka criticised the delay in allocating portfolios, alleging that governance had come to a standstill because of Congress’ internal power struggle. Home Minister Priyank Kharge dismissed speculation of confusion over the exercise, saying allocation of portfolios was solely the prerogative of CM. “There is no confusion of any kind in this. The party will take the final call,” he said.
