Congress MLA and Bengaluru Development Authority Chairman S.T. Somashekhar has again kicked up a political row by not only saying that the “present political situation in Karnataka was worsening day by day”, but also convening a meeting of “like-minded” MLAs here on Tuesday to discuss the future political course of action.
A loyalist of senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah, Mr. Somashekhar’s letter to legislators to attend the meeting, which comes just a week after conclusion of the polling, has raised many eyebrows among the party legislators.
In his letter, the Yeshwantpur MLA said the meeting was called “to discuss the present political scenario and to find a solution.” He appealed to MLAs to attend the meeting and “give their valuable suggestions without fail.”
Congress MLAs, who were disappointed after being denied Cabinet berths in December 2018, and those who have not been appointed as heads to government-owned boards and corporations are expected to attend the meeting at a private hotel, sources in the party said.
Mr. Somashekhar had in January blamed Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for the poor development works in Bengaluru city.
The MLA’s decision to call for a meeting has been conveyed to the party high command with a message that “all is not well in the ruling ally Congress”, sources said. His decision also sparked off a strong protest from party MLC G. Raghu Achar. The MLC said such a meeting would send a wrong message to the people of the State.
In a letter to the BDA Chairman, Mr. Achar told Mr. Somashekhar to discuss the problems with senior leaders of the party and find solutions.
The MLC told a private television channel: “I’m shocked at the BDA Chairman’s decision to call for a meeting when the State is facing severe drought. I will attend the meeting of Mr. Siddaramaiah if he convenes it.”
Reacting to Mr. Achar’s outburst against Mr. Somashekhar, Byrathi Suresh, MLA, said the meeting had been called to discuss drinking water problems in Bengaluru city. “We meet once in 2-3 months to discuss the city’s problems. It has nothing to do with politics,” he said.
KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao said Mr. Somashekhar would have convened the meeting for a good purpose.
