Bengaluru: Congress has launched a damage-control exercise to placate senior MLAs overlooked in the recent cabinet expansion, amid concerns that prolonged discontent could dent the party’s organisational strength ahead of the 2028 assembly elections.While some disgruntled seniors have framed the issue as an “insider-versus-outsider battle”, others see it as part of a wider transition in which a new leadership is taking shape after the exit of former chief minister Siddaramaiah.“Siddaramaiah was one of tallest — if not that tallest — leaders in the party, and he himself was asked to step down. Do these senior MLAs have a bigger sway than him?” asked a functionary.Meanwhile, Congress is seeking to project unity, and brass is working to ensure sidelined veterans do not feel abandoned. Late Wednesday night, Randeep Singh Surjewala, AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, spoke to former law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil and assured him that the party would “compensate” him at an appropriate time. However, people close to Patil say he is unlikely to accept anything short of a cabinet berth.“The former minister cannot be relegated to a board or corporation chairman. He is likely to take a decision during the legislative session,” an aide said.Some say party brass intends to treat overlooked seniors as “assets” and accommodate them in positions where their administrative and political experience can be effectively used.“Like new minister Basavaraj Rayareddi was accommodated in the Siddaramaiah govt as economic adviser and BR Patil was placated by giving him the vice-chairpersonship of the planning commission. We will ensure each of them is given their due,” a senior Congressman said. Both Rayareddi and BR Patil were accorded cabinet rank in the Siddaramaiah govt.BK Hariprasad, KPCC president, said disappointment among seniors was natural and insisted that both party and govt would ensure they are suitably accommodated.“They are the bulwark of Karnataka Congress,” Hariprasad told TOI. “We respect their experience and will definitely ensure they are accommodated as committee chairpersons, in govt advisory roles or posts in the party itself. None will be left out.”
