A second Cabinet reshuffle is likely as the one-year-old JD(S)-Congress coalition leadership is strategising to stave off rebellion within its ranks. The focus on a reshuffle is being seen as one to isolate rebel leaders, including former Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, by accommodating their supporters in the Cabinet.
Multiple sources in the Congress and JD(S) confirmed discussions on a Cabinet reshuffle to accommodate the disgruntled legislators now associated with at least three different rebel groups. The reshuffle, according to sources, could be taken up after the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meet scheduled on Wednesday, where the issue is likely to come up for discussion. Some of the Ministers could be asked to pave the way for newcomers, sources said. Also, with the monsoon session expected in June-end or first week of July, the reshuffle could be before that.
Some Ministers — it is learnt — offered to step down during an informal breakfast meeting at Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara’s residence on Friday. “The reading was that if their stepping down would help keep away the BJP from power, they would willingly do so,” sources said.
In a bid to prevent poaching of its legislators, the first reshuffle of the Cabinet took place in December 2018 when six new legislators were sworn in as Ministers, and two Ministers, including Mr. Ramesh Jarkiholi, were dropped. Several were appointed as chairpersons to boards and corporations besides appointments as parliamentary secretaries.
There are three vacancies in the Cabinet — one from the agreed 20 berths for Congress, and two from the 14, including the post of Chief Minister, berths for the JD(S).
The reshuffle will be used as a bargaining tool with legislators who have been identified and are susceptible to poaching bids by the BJP. These disgruntled leaders have been identified to be followers of the “Belagavi group”, led by Mr. Ramesh Jarkiholi, R. Roshan Baig group, and a “Ballari troupe” having connections with Mr. Jarkiholi, Congress sources said, adding that “the number claimed by the rebel groups are still suspect and inducting disgruntled legislators could douse the rebellion to a great extent”.
“Caste or regional combinations that were worked out when the Cabinet was formed last May could be given up. When the coalition leaders are trying to save the government, these calculations will not work,” Congress sources said. “There is no doubt that the coalition is facing a real threat to its existence. Some legislators are also trying to exert pressure using the political situation,” sources said.
JD(S) sources confirmed that discussions are on for the Cabinet reshuffle and indicated that it could be completed in the next fortnight. “Lok Sabha election results have forced a rethink in the party. Some Ministers from JD(S) could be dropped,” a JD(S) legislator said. Another party source indicated that there could be a Cabinet expansion as the crucial Primary and Secundary Education portfolio is without a Minister and currently held by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. “Being an important portfolio, this vacancy has to be filled,” he said.
