Two JDS ministers unhappy over portfolios: party sources

After the Congress, discontent appears to be brewing in coalition partner the Janata Dal (Secular) as two senior ministers from the party are believed miffed over their recently allotted portfolios.

JD (S) sources said GT Deve Gowda, who has been allotted Higher Education, and CS Puttaraju, who got Minor Irrigation in the portfolio allocation last night, are unhappy about their ministries.

GT Deve Gowda, who emerged as a giant killer, defeating former chief minister Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysuru in the May 12 assembly polls, and Puttaraju, who vacated his Lok Sabha seat and won the Melukote assembly segment, were eyeing key portfolios, including Transport.

DC Thammanna, a relative of JD (S) supremo HD Deve Gowda, being given the Transport Department is also said to be one of the reasons for their discontent.

Meanwhile, supporters of both the ministers held protests in Mysuru and Mandya, the districts they hail from, demanding key portfolios for their leaders.

Reacting to the issue, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said he has seen reports about such disgruntlement only in the media and no one has expressed their dissatisfaction with him personally.

"Some people will have wish to work in certain departments, but in every department there is opportunity to work efficiently. We have to work efficiently."

"Can everyone be given the portfolio they wish for?" the chief minister asked, adding: "is there a better department than Higher Education and Minor Irrigation to work?"

On reported comments by GT Deve Gowda about him being given Higher Education, when he was just studied till eighth standard, the chief minister said: "What have I studied? I'm working as the chief minister".

"Should I give Finance? There will be demand for certain ministries, but certain decisions are made internally in the party," he told reporters here, adding that such wishes of becoming a minister first and then wanting certain specific portfolios are common.

Kumaraswamy had last night allocated portfolios after a hard bargain between the coalition partners.

The portfolio allocation has been made in line with the power sharing agreement.

The development in the JD (S) has come even as dissident activities of the MLAs intensified in the Congress over not getting ministerial berths.

PTI