State Congress government grants ministerial status to BJP leader; Congress activists express outrage
Bengaluru : The Karnataka government recently issued an order granting ministerial status to all 54 heads of corporations, boards, and authorities, sparking outrage within the Congress party.
The decision to extend this status to BJP leader B.D. Bhukant, the former head of the Shikaripura Cooperative Marketing Federation, has ignited fury among party workers, who have expressed strong discontent against the leadership’s move.
The list of 54 beneficiaries includes heads of corporations, boards, and authorities, with Bhukant’s name prominently featured. His wife was also a Zilla Panchayat member from the BJP.
The government’s order, which extends ministerial status to all such officials, has drawn criticism from within the ruling coalition. Congress workers have targeted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, accusing them of favoring BJP members.
Previously, this status was reserved exclusively for MLAs heading major corporations. The recent expansion has raised questions about fairness, with critics alleging that the move prioritizes political loyalty over merit.
The government defended the decision, stating that the status would ensure better coordination and access to resources for all heads of corporations, boards, and authorities.
The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms issued the order, emphasizing that respective departments would provide necessary facilities to the officials. However, the political fallout has overshadowed the administrative rationale, with the Congress party accusing the government of undermining transparency and favoring its allies.
List of 54 Corporation – Board Presidents
Mamata Gatti- President, Karnataka Geru Development Corporation Limited, Mangalore
N. Rangaswamy- President, Karnataka Zoo Authority, Mysore
Vadnal Jagadish- President, Karnataka Biodiversity Board
Mahesh M.N.- President, Karnataka Expert Assessment Committee
Guru Prasad B- President, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority
B.K. Altaf Khan-Chairman, Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation Limited
Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan-Chairman, Karnataka State Haj Committee
Muhammad Ali Al Hussaini-Chairman, Karnataka State Wax Board
Dr. S. Japhet-Chairman, Karnataka Christian Development Corporation
V.S. Aaradhya-Chairman, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation
Arun Kumar Patil-Chairman, Kalyan Karnataka Road Transport Corporation
Lakshmeesh.K.M-Chairman, Bangalore Electricity Supply Corporation Limited
Lalit Raghav-Chairman, Karnataka Power Factories Limited
S. Manohar-Chairman, The Mysore Electronic Industries Limited
Kirthi Ganesh-Chairman, D. Devaraja Urs Backward Classes Development Corporation Limited
G. H. Mariojirao- Chairman, Karnataka Maratha Development Corporation
M.S. Atmananda- Chairman, Vokkaligara Communities Development Corporation
Sugnanamurthy P.- Chairman, Karnataka Vishwakarma Communities Development Corporation Limited
Bharamanya Uppara- Chairman, Karnataka Uppara Development Corporation
Shri M.S. Muthuraj- Chairman, Samitha Samaj Development Corporation
Nanjappa.C- Chairman, Madiwala Machideva Development Corporation
Mahesh .M- Chairman, Kadugolla Development Corporation
S. Gangadhar- Chairman, Karnataka Silk Marketing Board Limited
Neelakantharao S. Moolage- Chairman, Karnataka State Sambar Development Board, Hubballi
B.S. Kavalagi- Chairman, Karnataka State Lime Development Board, Indi, Vijayapura
H.B. Manjappa- Chairman, Bayaluseem Area Development Board, Chitradurga
Aara.M. Manjunath Gowda- Chairman, Malenadu Regional Development Board, Shimoga
Muthappa- President, Karnataka State Lamps Co-operative Mahamandali Regular, Mysore
M. Srinivas- Chairman, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation
Ayub Khan- Chairman, Karnataka Exhibition Authority, Mysore
Syed Mohmood Chismi- Chairman, Karnataka State Pulses Development Board, Kalaburagi
Anjanappa- Chairman, Karnataka State Seed Corporation
Gangadhar- Chairman, Mysore Sugar Factory Mandya, The Mysore Sugar Company
GS Patil- Chairman, Mysore State Mineral Corporation Limited, Bangalore
Satish Krishnasail – Chairman, Karnataka State Marketing Communication and Advertising Limited
B. Nagendra Kumar- Chairman, Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation Limited, Hubballi
J.M. Ganesh- Chairman, Karnataka State Co-operative Handloom Employers’ Council Limited
Chethan K.- Chairman, Karnataka State Textile Infrastructure Development Corporation, Belgaum
K. V. Ramprasad- Chairman, Karnataka Arya Vaishya Community Development Corporation
Jayasimha- Chairman, Karnataka State Brahmin Development Board
R. Sampath Raj- Chairman, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Development Corporation Limited
N. Jayadevanayaka- Chairman, Karnataka Tanda/Banjara Development Corporation
G.S. Manjunath- Chairman, Karnataka Adijambava Development Corporation
Murali Ashok Salappa,- Chairman, Karnataka State Safai Karmachari Development Corporation
Pallavi.G- Chairman, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Nomad Development Corporation
Mundaragy Nagaraju- Chairman, Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation Limited
Devendrappa Marthuru- Chairman, Karnataka Sheep and Wool Development Corporation Limited
Mala Narayana Rao- Chairman, Karnataka Fisheries Development
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