The Karnataka Congress government has landed in an awkward situation after it granted Cabinet rank to a BJP leader, only to withdraw it days later. The episode has given the opposition fresh ammunition and left the ruling party facing uncomfortable questions.
The controversy began after the government issued an order on 7th February granting Cabinet or minister of state rank to 54 chairpersons of various boards and corporations. Among the names listed was BD Bhookhnath, a BJP leader from Shivamogga district. Bhookhnath is known to be close to senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa and his son, state BJP president BY Vijayendra. His inclusion in the list surprised many, especially Congress workers in Shivamogga.
Pressure from within
The appointments were reportedly made to satisfy the aspirations of Congress leaders from different parts of the state. However, Bhookanth’s name did not go down well with local Congress leaders. Party workers from Shivamogga are said to have informed the state leadership that Bhookanth’s wife is a BJP zilla panchayat member and urged them to reconsider the decision.
Facing mounting criticism, the Chief Minister’s Office issued an amendment on Wednesday, 11th February, clarifying that the Cabinet rank granted to Bhookanth had been withdrawn. The move, however, had already sparked political controversy.
BJP attacks, Congress defends
The opposition BJP was quick to target the government. BJP MLC N Ravikumar questioned why Cabinet status was being given to individuals who were not elected to public office. He also claimed that each such appointment would cost the state around Rs 50 lakh per month.
The Congress, on its part, defended the decision. KPCC president and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the party came to power because of its workers and that they deserved recognition. “Now, they will get power,” he remarked.
Mounting financial concerns
So far, the Siddaramaiah-led government has granted Cabinet or minister of state ranks to 149 individuals. This includes 32 cabinet ministers, 43 Congress MLAs given cabinet rank as heads of corporations, 11 MLAs with minister of state status, nine non-MLAs with cabinet rank, and 54 non-MLAs largely linked to the Congress with minister of state status.
Each appointee is entitled to salary, allowances, fuel, housing benefits, staff support, medical reimbursement, and minister-level protocol at official events.
While the government maintains that rewarding party leaders is justified, the opposition argues that such large-scale appointments are putting unnecessary pressure on the state’s finances. The Bhookanth episode has only added to the embarrassment for the Congress government.
