Mysuru: Congress MLA Tanveer Sait on Monday expressed disappointment after being left out of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar‘s newly expanded Karnataka Cabinet, alleging that loyal party workers had been ignored while leaders who had publicly opposed the party leadership were rewarded with ministerial berths.
Addressing reporters in Mysuru, Sait said the Cabinet expansion had fallen short of expectations and claimed that the Mysuru region had not received adequate representation in the new ministry.
Questions Cabinet selection criteria
Sait said he was unable to understand the basis on which the new Cabinet had been constituted.
“The list is not in line with expectations. I don’t understand the criteria on which the Cabinet has been formed,” he said.
Without naming any individual, the Congress legislator alleged that some leaders who had openly criticised the party and challenged its leadership had been accommodated in the ministry, while those who had remained committed to the organisation had been overlooked.
Says he remained loyal to the party
Expressing his personal disappointment, Sait said he had worked for the Congress with complete loyalty and believed that both he and his supporters had expected him to be included in the Cabinet.
“I have worked for the party with complete loyalty. The people also had expectations. I don’t know why I have not been given a ministerial berth,” he said.
He added that he would consult his supporters before deciding his future course of action.
Supporters stage protest
The Cabinet decision sparked protests outside Sait’s residence in Udayagiri, where hundreds of supporters and Youth Congress workers gathered to express their dissatisfaction.
The protesters raised slogans against the Congress leadership and alleged that leaders who had remained loyal to the party had been denied recognition, while those perceived as anti-party voices had been rewarded with Cabinet positions.
Some supporters urged Sait to resign from the Legislative Assembly, arguing that he should launch a political struggle against what they described as an injustice.
Supporter hospitalised after allegedly consuming poison
The protest took a dramatic turn when one of Sait’s supporters, identified as Tabrez, allegedly consumed poison outside the MLA’s residence after reportedly becoming distressed over the Cabinet decision.
Congress workers at the scene immediately shifted him to a nearby hospital for treatment.
His condition was not immediately known.
Sait later appealed to his supporters to remain calm and urged them not to resort to extreme steps. He also personally interacted with the gathering in an effort to pacify the agitated workers.
Political reactions expected
Sait’s remarks and the protests by his supporters are expected to add to the political debate surrounding the composition of the newly expanded Karnataka Cabinet.
While expressing disappointment over his exclusion, the MLA indicated that he would take a decision on his next course of action only after consulting party workers and supporters.