Date:09/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/09/stories/2008020951820300.htm

Karnataka

Peace formula may create problems for Kamat

Special Correspondent

Congress facing resistance from party ‘loyalists’
AICC General Secretary for Goa today

PANAJI: Far from resolving the instability in the Congress-led coalition Government, the latest peace formula proposed by the coordination committee to placate dissensions in the alliance is feared to create new problems for Chief Minister Digambar Kamat.

The committee early this week ended a marathon session by deciding to offer Ministerial berths to a couple of disgruntled alliance partners at the expense of Congress Ministers and to divest some Congress Ministers of their portfolios. The committee met to workout solutions to issues raised by the rebels and promises made to them, while quelling the latest political crisis. However, the indication of an early implementation of the solutions seemed to be a far cry as no Minister is willing to quit to accommodate alliance partners MGP and an unattached MLA of UGDP. This has put the Chief Minister in a dilemma as Goa has a cap of 12 on Ministerial positions. The Congress, which is trying to ensure stability of coalition Government by wooing the allies, is now facing resistance from “loyalists” in the party.

With no Ministers ready to quit, the Chief Minister is now banking on AICC General Secretary B.K. Hari Prasad, who is expected to be in Goa on Saturday, to help the former resolve the crisis.