Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appointed 34 ruling Congress legislators as heads of various state-run board and corporations on Friday. The official order came after some of the party workers were upset over the delay in "rewarding loyal workers".
The official notification stipulates that cabinet-ranking postings will last for two years or until further notice. The government is yet to disclose the names of party workers who will fill these positions. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had recently mentioned accommodating 36 legislators and 39 party workers in such appointments.
Key appointments include Gubbi MLA S R Srinivas as Chairman of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, Shantinagar MLA N A Haris as Chairman of Bangalore Development Authority, Chamarajanagara MLA C Puttarangashetty as Chairman of Mysore Sales International Limited.
The Dharwad MLA Vinay Kulkarni was appointed as Chairman of Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board, Arsikere MLA K M Shivalinge Gowda as Chairman of Karnataka Housing Board and Hosakote MLA Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda as Chairman of Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation.
There is discontent within the Congress party, with some legislators frustrated about the delay in appointments to key posts in boards and corporations. Many loyal party members are upset about the prolonged delay in rewarding their dedication, given that the Congress has been in power for over seven months. Allegedly, differences of opinion between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar regarding appointments to boards and corporations have surfaced, according to party sources.