'Change is always good', Congress leader M Veerappa Moily backs Karnataka cabinet reshuffle

BENGALURU: Congress leader M Veerappa Moily on Friday said changes in the Karnataka Cabinet were necessary to help the party overcome “anti-incumbency”, adding that the induction of new faces would also create opportunities for aspiring legislators.According to news agency ANI Moily said,"Change is always good, new faces will have to come, because there are a number of aspiring MLAs and MLCs who would like to serve in the Government, and even if Siddaramaiah were to continue as a Chief Minister, he would have made a change and all these Ministers would have continued. So, change is good for the Party, and people will also like. The same Ministers and same faces will have an anti-incumbency issue. With the new faces coming into the Ministry, this will be resolved."He said a refreshed Cabinet would help the government maintain public support and improve administrative efficiency under outgoing chief minister Siddaramaiah.On Rajya Sabha representation from Karnataka, Moily stressed the need for experienced leaders, saying the Congress must ensure effective representation at the national level."We need very effective representation in the Rajya Sabha because now we are not in power in Delhi, but at the same time, we require people who can very effectively handle the situation on behalf of the Congress Party and the country. And for this, experience is necessary, and talent is also needed. I think the High Command will consider all this, and they and the present Chief Minister will also consider all this experience and also the talent so that we can very effectively handle the issues on behalf of the state of Karnataka and also on behalf of the Congress at the Rajya Sabha platform," he stated.Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Friday accepted the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a day after he submitted it. Siddaramaiah had stepped down on Thursday following directions from the Congress high command.Meanwhile, the Congress has intensified preparations for government formation in the state, with Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar meeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi to discuss the Cabinet reshuffle, sources said.According to party sources, Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar and AICC Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala are expected to hold discussions with the party’s top leadership.Rajya Sabha candidates, MLC appointments and the Cabinet reshuffle are likely to be the key agenda items during the meeting, sources added.Sources further said several ministers from the Siddaramaiah Cabinet are unlikely to find a place in the DK Shivakumar-led government. To maintain social and regional balance, the Congress may appoint four Deputy Chief Ministers, party sources indicated.Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra, a Member of the Legislative Council, is also expected to be inducted into the DK Shivakumar Cabinet and may be given a key portfolio to project continuity of Siddaramaiah’s political legacy, sources said.