Ministers come to Chief Minister’s defence

Ministers Satish Jarkiholi and M.B. Patil have come to the defence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has come under attack from his loyalist and former Minister K.N. Rajanna over the handling of Muslim leaders in the party. The former Minister had indicated that the Chief Minister had become helpless after he sacked his political secretary, Naseer Ahmed, and allowed the suspension of MLC Abdul Jabbar.

“Sometimes one needs to compromise for the welfare of the party and the government. But it cannot be construed as being helpless,” Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi told reporters here on Sunday. He acknowledged that Mr. Rajanna had been sharp and straight on the issue. The Chief Minister has also said that he had spoken to Mr. Rajanna already without revealing much about it.