Mumbai, June 8: The Karnataka state Congress MLAs are reportedly unhappy over G Parameshwara being made the Deputy Chief Minister. The move has created an internal rift in the party. According to a news report in CNN News18, many Congress MLAs are firmly against the decision taken by the party. An unnamed Congress source was quoted as saying, "Parameshwara is not a mass leader. He did not campaign for the party in the recent elections. He won his Assembly seat with great difficulty."

The source further added, "High command has made him deputy CM with the powerful Home portfolio. Besides, he is taking revenge on the leaders, who were close to Siddaramaiah earlier. It can spell doom for both party and government."

However, Parameshwara denied the allegation made against him and said, "The decision was taken only after consulting top bras leaders ---including Dinesh Gundurao --working president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee and former CM Siddaramaiah. It was not my decision. We are trying to appease them. There are still six vacancies in the cabinet. Some of them will be inducted soon. Blaming me makes no sense."

Moreover, Congress MLA Dinesh Gundurao, Working President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, is also upset over the high command not taking a quick decision on making him the KPCC president. Another party source added, "Dinesh was offered the state Congress president post by the high command. He is the best person to head the party under present circumstances. But deputy CM Parameshwara is floating some Lingayat names. It will go against the interest of the party. Dinesh is ideal for the top post."

It took almost two weeks after HD Kumaraswamy taking oath as Karnataka Chief Minister for the Congress-JD(S) alliance to decide on Cabinet positions. High-end meetings were reportedly held before signing the power-sharing agreement between both the parties. On June 6, 15 Congress MLAs, eight JD(S) MLAs and one BSP MLA were inducted into the ministry.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 08, 2018 03:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).