Amid dilemma on CM, Congress faces Deputy CM gauntlet

Even as Congress is struggling to name a leader for the chief ministerial post in Karnataka, the party is now facing hectic lobbying from lawmakers and socio-religious groups who have started demanding the Deputy CM's post.

Newly elected legislatures from Veerashaiva-Lingayat, Muslim and Dalit communities are staking a claim for the second highest post in the government, asserting that their community played a "key role" in Congress' landslide victory in the State.

Karnataka Waqf Board chief Shafi Saadi has demanded that the Congress appoint a Muslim as Deputy Chief Minister, besides giving five Cabinet berths with plum portfolios to MLAs from the community.

"Muslim candidates contested the election in 15 constituencies and 9 of them won. Besides, Muslims have played a crucial role in 72 constituencies. We did a campaign and awareness in all the mosques to vote for the Congress party. In return, we want a Muslim Deputy Chief Minister and five important ministerial posts like Home, Revenue and Education," demanded Saadi.

Chamarajpet MLA B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan's name is being talked about for a Deputy CM position.

Similarly, several Lingayat MLAs have stepped up their demand urging Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to reward the community with a Deputy CM post. In its best performance since 1989, the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community has elected as many as 34 legislators from Congress.

M.B. Patil, the Lingayat face of Congress, and former minister Eshwar Khandre are the main contenders for the Deputy CM's post.

Moreover, Karnataka Reddyjana Sangha has urged Congress to give appropriate representation to 12 MLAs belonging to the community. Senior leaders, including Ramalinga Reddy, H.K. Patil, N.S. Subba Reddy and N.H. Kona Reddy belong to this community.

Besides, there are over 60 Congress MLAs aspiring to become ministers in the newly formed Karnataka government. The party will have to accommodate senior lawmakers like R.V. Deshpande, Basavaraj Rayareddi and H.C. Mahadevappa too while legislators like C. Puttarangashetty, Vinay Kulkarni and Ajay Singh are also vying for key posts in the government.