Bengaluru, 13 April

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday urged Congress legislators to maintain party discipline as several MLAs visited New Delhi on Sunday to lobby for a Cabinet reshuffle.

Shivakumar, the KPCC President, cautioned against harming the party’s image, while adding that there was nothing wrong in meeting the party's High Command.

“They must respect the party. They should not sit before the media and damage the party’s name,” Shivakumar told the press in Bengaluru.

He said that everyone’s future lies in the party, not in the media. “In the media, you may say whatever you want in your own way. So I appeal to all my MLAs that meeting party High Command is not wrong, but if unnecessary statements are made, we will have to act.”

He indicated that he is awaiting formal inputs before taking any action.

He added that some of them had consulted him before leaving for Delhi, and he said that even first-time MLAs can become Ministers.

The developments assume significance amid ongoing discussions within the ruling Congress over a possible cabinet rejig as the government has crossed the halfway mark of its tenure.

Home Minister G Parameshwara also reiterated that there was nothing wrong in people having aspirations, but said the final decisions rest with the High Command.

"Our Chief Minister, the High Command, and our party (State) President decide about the reshuffle. These three sit together and make a decision," he said.