Stampede fallout: Congress puts MLC nominations on hold, calls for fresh list | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: Wary of triggering another bout of dissent and resentment that could sully the party’s image further, the Congress high command has suspended the list of nominations to the legislative council and has called for fresh names. The directive came at a meeting between Mallikarjun Kharge, party national president, Rahul Gandhi, Lok Sabha LoP, and other party central brass with chief minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar in New Delhi on Tuesday.Party brass is already concerned over the fallout of the 11 stampede deaths at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium and relentless flak the govt has draw for its handling of the issue. They have asked the govt to focus on restoring the party’s image instead of resorting to administrative exercises that may trigger resentment in the rank and file.Siddaramaiah had picked KPCC media cell chairman Ramesh Babu, its NRI cell chief Arthi Krishna, party functionary DG Sagar, and his former media adviser Dinesh Amin Mattu to fill four vacancies in the council. However, many, including Shivakumar have opposed the list. Shivakumar has indicated that he “wasn’t consulted”.The party has also asked the CM and his deputy to put off a cabinet reshuffle for now as they fear it may affect the stability of the govt. While Siddaramaiah admitted a cabinet reshuffle was not discussed in Tuesday’s meeting, senior functionaries said efforts are still on to convince the high command to at least partly rejig the council of ministers.“Party brass is reviewing views of functionaries and members on the nominated MLCs, and the final list will be sent to Raj Bhavan soon for the governor’s assent,” said Naseer Ahmed, political secretary to the CM. “As for a cabinet reshuffle, it is the CM’s prerogative. He will take a call in consultation with the high command.”But this is easier said than done, considering the long list of aspirants for both MLC seats and cabinet berths. The four on the original list to fill legislative council vacancies are mostly career politicians and their nomination could run into legal hurdles since nominated seats are meant for persons of eminence from across the fields.Siddaramaiah had earlier suggested that he would re-induct B Nagendra, who quit as minister last year following allegations of his involvement in irregularities in the ST development corporation. This had suggested a cabinet shuffle was on the cards.But the prospects dimmed Wednesday with the Enforcement Directorate raiding residences of Nagendra and other accused in the case. However, aspirants for ministerial berths have pledged to continue their efforts to sway the CM and the high command.“I have confidence in the chief minister, KPCC president, and party high command,” said Saleem Ahmed, Congress chief whip in the legislative council and a ministerial aspirant. “I did not get an opportunity when the govt was formed in 2023, but I am hopeful that my services will be used this time.”