A delegation of JD(S) MLAs met Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday, urging him to ensure that their party is not discriminated against in the coalition government. The meeting comes amid growing concerns within the JD(S) about being sidelined in key decisions and appointments.
Delegation Led by C B Suresh Babu
The delegation was led by MLA C B Suresh Babu and included Karemma Nayak, A Manju, G T Harish Gowda, Swaroop Prakash, C N Balakrishna, Venkatashiva Reddy, and Nemiraj Naik. They expressed their apprehensions about the treatment meted out to JD(S) legislators and sought assurances from the Deputy CM.
Plea for Equal Treatment
The MLAs highlighted that they have been supporting the government's initiatives but feel that their contributions are not being acknowledged. They demanded equal representation in boards and corporations, as well as a fair share in development funds for their constituencies. The delegation also raised concerns about the delay in clearing pending files related to their constituencies.
Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, assured the MLAs that the government would treat all coalition partners equally. He said that he would take up their concerns with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and ensure that no discrimination occurs. The Deputy CM urged the JD(S) MLAs to continue their support for the government's pro-people programs.
The meeting lasted for about 30 minutes, and the MLAs left expressing cautious optimism. They said they would wait for concrete action before commenting further. The JD(S) has 19 MLAs in the 224-member Karnataka Assembly, and its support is crucial for the Congress-JD(S) coalition government.
