Date:31/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/31/stories/2005103110840400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

D.T. Jayakumar may be put in charge of Mysore district

S. Rajendran

Deve Gowda to ask Chief Minister to expedite appointment

Bangalore: Tourism Minister D.T. Jayakumar, who represents Nanjangud constituency in the Legislative Assembly, is expected to be the new Minister in charge of Mysore district. The former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was in charge of the district before he was ousted from the Government.

Janata Dal (Secular) sources said that Minister of State for Labour and Wakf Tanvir Sait, who was looking after the district, sent in his resignation letter on Thursday night.

There were complaints against him regarding the organisation of the Dasara festival and the tardy relief work in Mysore city, which experienced heavy rain in the last few days bringing misery to thousands of people, especially in the Minister's Narasimharaja constituency. Added to this, the former Minister H. Vishwanath and his group are reportedly working against Mr. Sait.

Mr. Sait has, however, said that he decided to resign because he was finding it difficult to do justice his roles as district in-charge and Labour and Wakf Minister.

The Congress, which gained an advantage two months ago when the JD(S) was in turmoil with the suspension of Mr. Siddaramaiah and others from the party, is expected to attempt to retain the post.

After Mr. Siddaramaiah's ouster, the lone Congress Minister from Mysore was posted as the district in-charge despite Mr. Sait being in charge of Kodagu. Horticulture Minister R. Srinivas of the JD(S) was put in charge of Kodagu.

JD(S) leader H.D. Deve Gowda is expected to ask Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh to expedite the appointment of Mr. Jayakumar. The demand is likely to place Mr. Dharam Singh in a difficult position. Congress sources said he is likely to place the issue on the backburner to avoid any embarrassment.

With the appointment of Mr. Jayakumar, the JD(S) is confident of putting up a stiff fight against the Siddaramaiah group, which has considerable clout in Mysore city and the district.

The JD(S) also wants to reward Mr. Jayakumar who has put up a stiff fight against Mr. Siddaramaiah and has emerged as a backward classes leader. He is now in charge of Udupi district.

Mr. Jayakumar said he is confident of being appointed as the district in-charge minister, which should have happened two months ago.