Lobbying for cabinet berths in Karnataka frowned upon by Congress leadership

Amid intense lobbying by Cabinet hopefuls in Karnataka that has, at times, embarrassed the Congress, the central leadership is learnt to have warned legislators of serious consequences.

On June 24, sources close to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar claimed that the central leaders had spoken to him on the several incidents of protests by supporters seeking berths for their leaders, lobbying by religious heads and mutt seers, meetings of legislators, which has embarrassed the party.

While Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was sworn along with 13 Ministers, intense lobbying is being reported for the 20 other berths by seniors, former Ministers and even first-timers.

According to sources, the central leaders are learnt to have told Mr. Shivakumar that the Cabinet expansion would be taken up at an appropriate time, and that they would observe zero tolerance for lobbying for cabinet berths. The Chief Minister is learnt to have been told not to entertain legislators coming in groups to lobby for cabinet berths.