Bengaluru: A day after governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot formally accepted the resignation of planning and statistics minister B Nagendra, chief minister DK Shivakumar’s visit to Delhi has triggered speculation that he may meet the Congress high command to discuss fresh names to fill the two remaining vacancies in his council of ministers.Officials in the chief minister’s office (CMO) said Shivakumar is scheduled to attend a private event in Delhi but could meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge briefly late Sunday night. However, with AICC general secretary KC Venugopal currently overseas, the final nod for cabinet expansion could take some more time, sources said.Nagendra’s resignation has opened two berths in the cabinet. Congress is yet to finalise his replacement under the Scheduled Tribes (ST) quota, while the other vacant berth could go to a woman.Annapoorna Tukaram, Sandur MLA, is seen as an option who could fit both requirements. Her induction could potentially leave an additional berth open, allowing party brass to accommodate a disgruntled senior.However, competition for the women’s quota appears strong, with former women and child welfare minister Laxmi Hebbalkar continuing to harbour hopes of returning to the cabinet. But with Satish Jarkiholi and Laxman Savadi already representing Belagavi in the cabinet, Hebbalkar’s chances appear slim.If Annapoorna is inducted, the race for the additional berth is also expected to intensify. Basavaraj Shivannavar, Byadagi MLA, who is backed by former chief minister Siddaramaiah, and Vijayanagar MLA A Krishnappa, are among the frontrunners. HK Patil, Gadag MLA, is seen as a dark horse.Meanwhile, Congress is expected to continue to use Nagendra’s services to strengthen its base in ST-dominated districts. State Congress president BK Hariprasad told TOI Congress will strongly back Nagendra until allegations of embezzling funds from Karnataka Maharishi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation are proven.“We strongly back Nagendra and will protect him. He is a much bigger leader than even former BJP MLA B Sreeramulu from the ST community and has much to offer for the party. We will use his services,” Hariprasad said. On cabinet expansion, Hariprasad said a decision would be taken in due course.On Sunday, the governor’s office issued a notification formally accepting Nagendra’s resignation. It said: “I have accepted the recommendation of the chief minister and in exercise of the powers vested in me under Article 164 (1) of the Constitution of India, I, Thaawar Chand Gehlot, governor of Karnataka, hereby accept the resignation of B Nagendra, minister for planning and statistics from the council of ministers with immediate effect.”Meanwhile, Union minister HD Kumaraswamy Sunday claimed the Congress govt “sacrificed” Nagendra and is now accusing opposition parties of targeting him because he is a Dalit.Kumaraswamy said if Nagendra was “innocent” as Congress and CM Shivakumar claimed, why was he forced to resign?On BJP’s forthcoming padayatra, originally announced to demand Nagendra’s removal, he said JD(S) had initially agreed to participate. But now that Nagendra has quit, he said he was not aware of BJP’s reasons to continue with the padayatra. He said BJP had not discussed the issue, and while JD(S) functionaries and workers will extend symbolic support, he will not participate due to pre-scheduled programmes.
