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Congress MLA Ashok Pattan on Wednesday expressed disappointment over not being included in the first batch of ministers in the new Karnataka cabinet, while alleging that caste considerations played a role in the Chief Minister's selection process.
Speaking to ANI ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar and his council of ministers, Pattan said, "From the very beginning, I have been an aspirant. I am a senior leader. Third time MLA. I have a political family background. My father was a freedom fighter... I wanted to become a Chief Minister long back. But it has not happened because the caste factor will always be there. That is a big problem for me. I have not been made the CM because of my caste and sub-caste... I am expecting my name to be there in the second list of ministers." His remarks came hours before the oath-taking ceremony scheduled at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru, where DK Shivakumar is set to be sworn in as Karnataka's Chief Minister. Senior Congress leader and outgoing Home Minister G Parameshwara will take oath as Deputy Chief Minister. Earlier in the day, outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed Parameshwara's elevation as Deputy Chief Minister. In a post on X, Siddaramaiah said that both Shivakumar and Parameshwara had met him and expressed their gratitude ahead of the formation of the new government. The Congress leadership has also finalised the first batch of ministers to be inducted into the cabinet. Along with Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister-designate Parameshwara, senior leaders KH Muniyappa, KJ George, MB Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, Sathish Jarakiholi, Krishna Byregowda, Priyank Kharge, UT Khader, Eshwar Khandre, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Byrathi Suresh and Sharan Prakash Patil are set to take oath as ministers. Ahead of the ceremony, Shivakumar met former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa, describing him as a leader who had contributed significantly to Karnataka's development. "They have guided the state, they have worked for the state, and they have contributed for the state. So all of us have to work together," Shivakumar said after the meeting. The ceremony is expected to be attended by top Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala, as the party formally ushers in a new leadership team in Karnataka. (ANI)
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