JDS fortification in coast to cost Khader ministry

Mangaluru, 24 May 2018 [Fik/News Sources]: Mangaluru MLA and former minister UT Khader has been extremely popular among the people for his simplicity and approachable nature. He has been the face of a proactive youth leader all this while, but during the recently assembly poll results, he became the saving grace of the Congress party by becoming the only MLA from the Congress to retain the constituency out of eight assembly segments of Dakshina Kannada.

However, despite several achievements to his credit, rumours are now rife that UT Khader may not find a place in the coalition cabinet. The reason for this is said to be JDS leader BM Farooq.

JDS once had considerable presence in the coastal districts and in turn of events, the party lost its ground. It is said that now the party is keen on rediscovering itself in the coastal district by providing cabinet berth to a JDS leader from the coastal district and BM Farooq is the obvious choice. In this bid, sources say Khader may have to be at the losing end.

The talks in the JDS house is that Farooq should be made a minister and also be given in-charge of Dakshina Kannada. JDS supremo HD Devegowda himself is keen on doing this, say sources.

But the route map to this is going to be long. Farooq has not been elected to the assembly through an election.

Meanwhile, the Congress too is very keen on retaining their 'best MLA' as a minister. The people from Karavali feel that Khader should not fall prey to such calculations and must be given a cabinet berth. However, one may have to wait till the cabinet formation to know what happens next.