Chikkamagaluru: The district that once revived former prime minister Indira Gandhi's political career and served as a Congress bastion is now experiencing a prolonged ministerial drought. Despite the party's clean sweep of all five assembly segments in the 2023 elections, not a single MLA from Chikkamagaluru has been inducted into the state cabinet.
Historical Context
In 1999, Chikkamagaluru boasted three cabinet ministers under Chief Minister SM Krishna: CG Sageer Ahmed (Chikkamagaluru), Motamma (Mudigere), and DB Chandregowda (Sringeri). The last minister from the district was Chandre Gowda, and since 2004, no Congress MLA from the area has secured a cabinet position.
2023 Election Sweep
Under district Congress unit president KP Amshumanth, the party achieved a clean sweep in 2023, winning all five seats: HD Thammaiah (Chikkamagaluru), Nayana Motamma (Mudigere), TD Rajegowda (Sringeri), GH Srinivas (Tarikere), and KS Anand (Kadur). Despite this, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's cabinet formation and subsequent expansions excluded the district entirely.
With new Chief Minister DK Shivakumar exploring innovative strategies to strengthen the party, local leaders hoped for at least one ministerial berth. However, the wait continues.
Party Workers' Concerns
Senior Congress leader HL Deepak highlighted the district's historical significance: “In 1978, Chikkamagaluru sent Indira Gandhi to Lok Sabha and revived the party nationally. In 2023, we gave all five seats. But we have no voice in the cabinet.”
Deepak emphasized pending issues such as the coffee growers' crisis, human-wild animal conflict in Mudigere and Sringeri, areca disease, and disputes between forest officials and farmers. He noted that a minister from the district would greatly benefit the Malnad region.
Qualified MLAs Overlooked
Activist Arun pointed out that MLAs like Rajegowda and Srinivas, both elected for a second term, possess deep knowledge of the district. Rajegowda has served as ZP member twice and ZP president for one term, understanding both Malnad and dry region problems. “One of them should be given a suitable portfolio,” he stated.
Political Analysis
Political observers attribute the oversight to the Congress high command's focus on balancing caste and regional equations in Old Mysuru, Kittur-Karnataka, and Kalyana-Karnataka, leaving Malnad districts out. For a district that shaped national politics in 1978, the current ministerial drought is a bitter pill.
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