Higher Education Minister G.T. Deve Gowda (67), a prominent Vokkaliga leader from Mysuru district, is seeking reallocation of his portfolio in the wake of criticism over his poor educational qualification.
Gowda, who dropped out of school after class VIII, was candid about his shortcoming when he said he had not been to a college, and would prefer a portfolio that would help him “work closely” with farmers.
Chief Minister Kumaraswamy, who had initially dismissed all requests for reallocation of portfolios, including that of Minor Irrigation Minister C.S. Puttaraju, conceded to Gowda's request, and is likely to allocate cooperation department to him.
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"G.T. Deve Gowda has been a good administrator. Higher education is a good portfolio and he can manage (it) well. He is only class VIII pass. But that should not matter. I have studied only bachelor of science. But I am the chief minister. You can handle any portfolio if you are a sincere worker,” Kumarswamy had said.
After the senior leader went into a huddle with his supporters and refused to meet the chief minister during the latter's visit to Mysuru, Kumaraswamy held a long meeting with the disgruntled leader and assured him that he would be given cooperation portfolio, which is currently being held by another JD(S) leader and Bidar MLA Bandeppa Kashempur.
A loyalist of former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda, G.T. Deve Gowda is known for his involvement in the cooperative movement in the state. He made his debut in the Karnataka assembly in 2004 by winning the Hunsur seat. Interestingly, he had joined the BJP in 2007, but jumped ship to contest the 2013 polls from Chamundeshwari on a JD(S) ticket and won. In the May 2018 polls, Gowda emerged as the giant killer by defeating his old friend and former chief minister Siddaramaiah by a huge margin of 36,042 votes.
CM upset with lobbying MLAs, ministers
Disgruntlement among MLAs who missed the cabinet berth and those unhappy with their portfolios has made the chief minister weary. Kumaraswamy is sure feeling the heat of running a coalition government, and is apprehensive about delivering good governance if things do not improve.
Sharing his concerns with reporters in Vidhana Soudha on Monday, Kumaraswamy said, "I visited my father's house today and told him I felt anxious to see MLAs continuing to lobby for a cabinet berth or change in portfolio. This will affect administration, and invariably spoil my reputation too. But my father asked me to take it up as a challenge."
Kumaraswamy stressed that he became the chief minister at the behest of the Congress's leaders.
“My father Deve Gowda had asked the central Congress leaders to choose a CM from their own party citing my delicate health as I had two heart surgeries. But they did not agree. I did not seek power. Now, I want to do good work as I have got this opportunity by god's grace. I don't know how long I will live,” said Kumaraswamy.