Kalaburagi/Bengaluru, 6 Aug

Congress MLA BR Patil on Thursday voiced disappointment over being denied a Cabinet berth, questioning whether being overlooked was the “reward for his commitment to the values of social justice and democracy”, as discontent over the recent Cabinet expansion persisted within the ruling party.

The four-time Aland MLA, in an open letter to his supporters on Facebook, said he had worked tirelessly against communal and divisive forces and for the Congress across the country. Speaking to reporters, Patil said he had already shared all his "pain and suffering" in the Facebook post. He said he had exposed the alleged vote theft issue with evidence, which was later raised by Rahul Gandhi, and had consistently fought for farmers, labourers and women. Patil claimed Siddaramaiah had assured him on three occasions that he would be inducted into the Cabinet.

Daddal resigns, Patil stays

Raichur Rural MLA Basanagouda Daddal resigned as chairman of the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. Meanwhile, Indi MLA Yashvantarayagouda Patil withdrew his resignation from the Assembly after appeals from party workers, senior leaders, Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and his constituents. He said he would remain with the Congress but would never again lobby for any political office.

BJP attacks government

Leader of Opposition R Ashoka criticised the delay in allocating portfolios to the 19 newly inducted ministers, calling Shivakumar a "dummy Chief Minister" and alleging the Congress high command was running the government through Surjewala. pti

Siddaramaiah has no role in Tanveer missing berth: Yathindra    

Karnataka Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Thursday said former chief minister Siddaramaiah had no role in senior Congress leaders being left out of the recent Cabinet expansion, including Tanveer Sait and Gayathri Shanthegowda.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Yathindra said his dad had recommended 14 names for the Cabinet, most of whom were accommodated. He added that HC Mahadevappa's name featured in both recommendation lists, but Siddaramaiah had neither sought a berth for BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan nor influenced the exclusion of Tanveer Sait or Gayathri. He said the party high command filled the remaining two berths earmarked for Muslim representation.

Describing Tanveer and Mahadevappa as experienced leaders, Yathindra said the Congress high command would address the discontent among those left out of the ministry.