Protests erupted on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway near Hirebagewadi toll plaza in Belagavi district on Monday as supporters of Belagavi Rural MLA Laxmi Hebbalkar voiced their strong disappointment over her exclusion from the recently expanded Karnataka state cabinet. The demonstration, which led to a temporary disruption of traffic, saw agitated party workers demanding the immediate inclusion of Hebbalkar into the ministerial ranks.
According to reports, the protesters chanted slogans in support of Hebbalkar, highlighting her significant contributions to strengthening the Congress party in the Belagavi district. They alleged that the party high command had overlooked her extensive work as both an organisational leader and a minister when finalizing the list of new cabinet appointees. The demonstrators urged the Congress leadership to reconsider its decision and accommodate Hebbalkar in the ministry.
The incident underscores a broader wave of discontent within the Karnataka Congress following the cabinet expansion. Several senior leaders and their supporters have expressed resentment over being denied ministerial berths, leading to protests and, in some instances, resignations. This dissatisfaction has presented a significant challenge to the party leadership as they aim to maintain unity amidst the newly formed government.
The protests come after a long-awaited expansion of the state cabinet, which saw 19 legislators sworn in as ministers. However, the process was marred by confusion, last-minute changes, and unhappiness among those who were left out. Reports indicate that one ministerial berth has been left vacant. Among those reportedly overlooked are senior leaders from the previous Siddaramaiah government, including HC Mahadevappa, HK Patil, K Venkatesh, MC Sudhakar, and Laxmi Hebbalkar.
The dissent has manifested in various forms across different districts. In Mysuru, supporters of senior MLA Tanveer Sait staged demonstrations, and one reportedly attempted suicide by consuming poison. In Bagepalli, supporters of MLA S.N. Subba Reddy announced a bandh after organizing road protests and burning tires. Protests were also reported in Bengaluru, where supporters of MLAs M. Krishnappa and Priya Krishna burned photographs of the Chief Minister.
Political analysts suggest that the cabinet expansion has exposed deep divisions within the ruling Congress party. Opposition leaders have seized upon the developments, claiming that the exercise has sparked widespread dissatisfaction and highlighted the party’s internal rifts. Concerns have also been raised about the lack of representation from certain districts, as well as the absence of any women in the expanded cabinet, despite the government implementing welfare schemes targeted at women.
The Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, faces the challenging task of pacifying disgruntled legislators and workers while striving to maintain party unity and focus on governance. The Chief Minister has appealed for patience among those who were disappointed, emphasizing that patience has been instrumental in his own political journey.
The Hirebagewadi toll plaza incident was eventually brought under control by police personnel deployed at the scene, who persuaded the protesters to clear the highway. No untoward incidents were reported during the demonstration, and normal traffic movement was restored. However, the underlying sentiment of disappointment among a section of party loyalists highlights the immediate challenges confronting the new government in Karnataka.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
