Bengaluru: DK Shivakumar will face his first legislature session as chief minister, with the monsoon session beginning Thursday set to test his ability to manage a determined opposition, defend his govt on several contentious issues and keep his recently expanded cabinet and Congress legislators together.The first two days of the session are expected to be largely devoted to condolence references following the deaths of former minister D Sudhakar and former legislators, besides the election of presiding officers of both Houses.The session comes at a politically difficult time for the govt, with a proposed Karnataka bandh over the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu coinciding with its opening. The Cauvery Water Management Authority’s direction to Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs daily to Tamil Nadu is likely to dominate proceedings and give opposition BJP and JD(S) an immediate issue to target the govt.For Shivakumar, the leader of the House, the session will be an important test of his administrative and legislative leadership skills. On Wednesday, he held strategy meetings with senior ministers to prepare to take on the opposition.Besides Cauvery, the opposition is expected to raise a range of issues including drought, the proposed Bidadi township, KPSC recruitment allegations and the delay in allocating portfolios to newly inducted ministers.The Bidadi Township project has emerged as a major rallying point for BJP and JD(S), which have opposed the proposed land acquisition and sought to portray the govt as being insensitive to farmers. The govt’s appointment of a committee to examine the project could provide it some room to respond, but the opposition is likely to question its position and the possibility of changes based on the panel’s recommendations.The KPSC controversy could prove particularly sensitive, given its impact on aspirants for govt jobs. Allegations involving suspended KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar, including OMR sheet tampering, question paper leaks and cash for jobs, are likely to come under scrutiny.The opposition is expected to reiterate its demand for an early declaration of drought and greater assistance for farmers. It is also likely to seek the resignation of minister B Nagendra, who is out on bail in connection with the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam.The opposition could use the delay in allocating portfolios and continuing demands for ministerial representation to suggest uncertainty within the governing party.The govt’s drive against footpath encroachments in Bengaluru is likely to come under scrutiny over demolition of structures and rehabilitation of street vendors affected by the exercise.For Shivakumar, the challenge extends beyond countering opposition attacks. He will have to demonstrate that his govt can maintain political cohesion while responding effectively to issues ranging from water and agriculture to recruitment and urban governance. This is particularly significant considering that several experienced hands including HK Patil and HC Mahadevappa, among others have been dropped from the cabinet.
