The Hindu : Karnataka News : Gowda criticises delay in Ministry expansion

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 13, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Gowda criticises delay in Ministry expansion

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, SEPT. 12. The former Prime Minister and the Janata Dal (Secular) president, H.D. Deve Gowda, has criticised the delay in the expansion of the coalition Ministry in the State. Mr. Gowda's criticism comes a day before the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, is scheduled to leave for New Delhi for talks with the All-India Congress Committee leaders to finalise the additions to the Ministry.

Speaking to a television channel after arriving from New Delhi this afternoon, he initially took the stand that the expansion of the Ministry was the prerogative of the Chief Minister. It was a matter left to Mr. Dharam Singh and he could not hazard a guess as to when it would come about. Mr. Gowda, however, made it plain that it was for the Chief Minister to gauge public opinion on the matter and go ahead with the expansion. In an oblique reference to the Chief Minister, he said that it was not right for anyone to hold several portfolios. He had not met anyone in New Delhi with regard to the constitution of the full-fledged Ministry, he said.

Resistance remains

Mr. Gowda and the Chief Minister have met several times with regard to the expansion, and the resistance of the Janata Dal (S) leaders to the induction of some Congress legislators still remains. The Janata Dal (S) is known to be against the induction of former Ministers D.K. Shivakumar , R.V. Deshpande, A. Krishnappa, and R. Roshan Baig.

The Congress has left the matter of their induction to the party high command. On his part, Mr. Dharam Singh has also spoken to the Congress leaders many times, and the party leadership in New Delhi is also being blamed for the delay in the expansion of the Ministry.

The Janata Dal (S) circles are blaming the Congress for the delay and attribute it to differences within itself over the appointment of the four legislators rather than any opposition from them. The two parties have decided to appoint some of their members in the Upper House as Ministers.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka