Bengaluru/Mangaluru, 25 Feb

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in Bengaluru has voiced his support for the induction of "new blood" into the Cabinet, saying the old guard cannot continue indefinitely.

Shivakumar was reacting to a query on first-time MLAs writing to senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and All India Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, seeking representation in the State Cabinet during the proposed reshuffle.

In a joint representation addressed to the Congress High Command and the State leadership, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, the legislators urged that at least five first-time MLAs be inducted as Ministers.

Meanwhile, former chief minister M Veerappa Moily backed the 31 MLAs and said the party should prioritise merit over experience, saying in Mangaluru that “we were all newcomers at one point”.

However, he added that “it is not possible to become a Minister through lobbying”.

LEADERSHIP CHANGE?

Reacting to remarks by his Cabinet colleague HC Mahadevappa on the Dalit chief minister issue, Shivakumar said he had no information about any leadership change in the State.

"I saw Mahadevappa's statement. He is our High Command, and he may have some information," Shivakumar said.

Asked whether the High Command had summoned him and Siddaramaiah to Delhi, he clarified, "I haven’t got any calls. I have to visit Delhi for some work related to my department."

On criticism that he had remained silent over ministers’ statements despite being the KPCC President, Shivakumar said: “It is the CM who has to regulate the Ministers and MLAs. I am doing the job of communicating it to the party."

URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Referring to Central funds for urban development, he said the Centre was releasing Rs 1 lakh crore, but had indicated it was not meant for bigger cities. Shivakumar said that he will ask the Urban Development Minister to prepare a proposal for tier two and three cities in the State.