Abhishek Banerjee’s influence is diluted and Firhad Hakim is dropped as the Chief Minister consolidates absolute control after 58 rebel MLAs split the party.
Shivakumar said he had earlier assured Reddy that he would get the Bengaluru Development portfolio but added that the final call on allocation rested with the Congress top brass.
Referring to the West Asia crisis, he praised the prime minister for keeping inflation under control despite global uncertainties, claiming that no other country has managed to do so.
