Karnataka Congress rejigs key posts after cabinet expansion; Deshpande, Vaidya get new roles

Bengaluru: Senior Congress MLA R.V. Deshpande has been appointed Chairman of the Karnataka State Administrative Reforms Commission with cabinet-rank status, as the ruling party moves to address discontent following the recent cabinet reshuffle.

Deshpande, a senior Congress leader, was not included in the D.K. Shivakumar-led cabinet reshuffle despite having served in earlier governments. His appointment to head the Administrative Reforms Commission is being viewed as an alternative responsibility for the veteran legislator.

Meanwhile, MLA Mankala Vaidya, whose name was reportedly under consideration for a ministerial berth before being dropped at the final stage, has been chosen for the post of Deputy Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. S.S. Mallikarjuna was inducted into the cabinet in his place.

The decision to appoint Vaidya as Deputy Speaker is expected to help the Congress leadership address concerns among supporters following his exclusion from the cabinet.

Congress MLA A.S. Ponnanna, whose name had reportedly been recommended by the party high command for the Deputy Speaker’s post, has instead been appointed as Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s political secretary.

The appointments come amid efforts by the Congress leadership to contain dissatisfaction among legislators who were hoping for ministerial berths. The party is attempting to accommodate several such leaders by assigning them key constitutional, administrative and organisational responsibilities.