Mysuru: Supporters of former minister and senior Dalit leader HC Mahadevappa Friday said former CM Siddaramaiah should have argued his case with the party high command and secured him a cabinet berth in the Shivakumar govt.Interacting with the senior Congress MLA on his first visit to the city after losing power, they warned the party could suffer in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts if Mahadevappa is not elevated. They said the party would be “taught a lesson” in the two districts if he is not inducted.Mahadevappa, however, urged restraint and said he remained hopeful of the party leadership.Some activists questioned why Byrathi Suresh was made a minister, saying he was not a senior leader. They also urged minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah to ensure Mahadevappa gets a berth. Mahadevappa listened quietly and appealed to them not to lose heart.“Nothing is over yet. There is still plenty of time. No one should feel upset,” he said, adding Siddaramaiah had spoken on his behalf and there was no reason for disappointment.Speaking to reporters, Mahadevappa said he continued to be a first-line leader and that not getting a ministerial post did not reduce his standing. Cabinet formation decisions, he said, were made by the party high command after due calculation, and he would not beg or plead for office.“I am not someone to get a ministerial berth by asking for it,” he said, stressing that he had never sought power in his 41-year political life.On a complaint submitted to the governor alleging wrongdoing, Mahadevappa termed it baseless, denied any corruption, and said he acted within the law. He also expressed surprise over why the issue was raised now.
