No reallocation of portfolios: Patel

BANGALORE, MARCH 7: Karnataka Chief Minister J H Patel, under attack from some of his ministerial colleagues over the recent ministry exp...

BANGALORE, MARCH 7: Karnataka Chief Minister J H Patel, under attack from some of his ministerial colleagues over the recent ministry expansion and reshuffle of portfolios, today categorically ruled out further reallocation of portfolios to placate those dissatisfied.

“If allocation of portfolios is the main reason for ministers to resign, then no ministry can exist. Even god cannot satisfy them”, Patel told newspersons here on his return from Mumbai.

D T Jayakumar, a Minister of State, resigned last week protesting against his non-elevation to Cabinet rank, while Minister of State for Employment and Training M Varade Gowda has tendered his resignation expressing displeasure over being shifted from the Sericulture portfolio.

Asked whether he would accept Gowda’s resignation, Patel said he was yet to receive the resignation letter and had learnt about it only through the media.

On whether he would persuade Gowda to withdraw his resignation, Patel said he had asked Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiahto find a solution to the issue.

Patel denied Jayakumar’s charge that he was indulging in nepotism, but said he would enquire into the charge that his signature was being forged by officials at the Chief Minister’s secretariat.

“If the charge is baseless, then Jayakumar will have to face the consequences”, he said.