Bengaluru: Congress and JDS leaders are continuing their efforts to finalize the list of ministers, to be accorded ministerial berths in the JDS-Congress coalition state government as the countdown for the first phase of swearing-in of ministers is coming close. Interestingly, on both sides, new faces are being given a chance over the senior leaders.

The Congress party is finalizing its list with the help of Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara and AICC President Rahul Gandhi and it is learnt that many former ministers, including close associates of former chief minister Siddaramaiah namely Dinesh Gundurao, M B Patil, Babaleshwar, Eshwar Khandre, S R Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, M Krishnappa, H K Patil and Sathish Jarkiholi – will be dropped from the coalition government.

In the JDS camp too, senior MLA, former minister Basavaraja Horatti, A T Ramaswamy, H Vishwanath, B M Farooq are likely to make way for others. The new ministers will take oath in the Glass House of the Raj Bhavana at 2.12 pm. Governor Vajubhai Vala will administer the oath.

Supporters protest against the decision

In spite of all efforts, Congress has not been able to convince its leaders with the party decision. According to sources, Siddaramaiah was upset with party decision and even skipped the final level of the meeting. Sources said even MTB Nagaraj is thinking of resignation.

Hundreds of supporters of Yamanakaradi Congress MLA Sathish Jarkiholi protested behind the Vidhana Soudha and shouted slogans for a ministry for their leader. Police took the protestors into custody. Notably, Sathish Jarakiholi’s brother Ramesh Jarkiholi has got a place in the ministry.

Supporters of MLA Dr. Ajay Singh, son of former CM Dharam Singh staged a protested at Sonna Cross of Jevargi of Kalaburagi by shouting slogans and burning tires.