Mysuru: Urban Development Minister and Mysuru District in-charge Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah resorted to clear the air over the recent Cabinet expansion that has widened the rift within Congress party, especially in this part of the city, as six-time Congress MLA from Narasimharaja Assembly Constituency Tanveer Sait has been left in the cold, dashing all his hopes of becoming a Minister.

Speaking to media persons on his maiden visit to the city this morning, after becoming the District Minister, Dr. Yathindra dismissed the speculations that his father, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, had a role to play in Sait not getting his due.

“I was rightly made the Minister to placate the community to which I belong to, after my father stepped down as the CM, without completing his full term in office. Both Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa and Tanveer Sait are party veterans. I will certainly meet and discuss with them,” he added.

“While my father had recommended the name of former Minister Dr. Mahadevappa and his name was among the list of probables too, High Command was averse to it. Similarly, my father had no role to play in former Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan making it to the Cabinet and the  omission of MLC Gayathri Shanthegowda’s name from the list of Ministers to take oath, at the last minute,” clarified Dr. Yathindra.

He said that his father had recommended 14 names to the High Command to induct them to the Ministry and majority of them have been considered. However, my father is not upset over ignoring the names of others, but skipped the swearing-in ceremony as it coincided with his birthday celebration.

‘Water to canals soon’

In a piece of good news to farmers in Cauvery catchment area waiting for the release of water from dams to canals for taking up farming activities, Dr. Yathindra said that water will be released to canals at the earliest.

As both Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini Dams are full to their capacity, the Chief Minister has discussed over the farmers demands and has instructed to release water for agricultural crops, said Dr. Yathindra, who is scheduled to visit several parts of the district to study the drought condition and hold a discussion with officers.