Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday expressed disappointment over being left out of the newly expanded Karnataka Cabinet, saying the party leadership owed him an explanation for the decision despite his long service and loyalty to the Congress.

Speaking after Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced the new Council of Ministers, Rao said he was not upset about missing out on a ministerial berth but was hurt by the lack of communication from the party leadership regarding his exclusion.

'No reason given for my exclusion'

"I am more disappointed with the fact that they have not given a proper reason for why I have been excluded. I have been a minister and have had many opportunities in the Congress Party. The only thing is that they should have told me the reasons. I don't know why I have been dropped. Was I a bad performer as a minister? Do I have any corruption charges? Was I not working well for the party? I have always been loyal to the party, and whatever responsibility the party has given me, I have always tried to do my best."

Recalling his earlier stint in government, Rao said he had once voluntarily stepped aside to strengthen the party organisation.

"Even in the previous government when Siddaramaiah was there, I voluntarily told him for three years that he should make somebody else a minister because I wanted to work for the party. Becoming a minister is not the end for me. But the disappointment is that they have not given me a proper reason why they have dropped me...I hope that at least in the future they will tell me the reason for dropping me. A proper reason should be given. That is the only thing I expect. I am a loyal Congressman. I believe in the ideology of the Congress Party."

He added, "Congress has given me a lot, no doubt. At the same time, people ask me, and I have no answer as to why they have dropped me."

Congratulates new ministers, urges outreach to seniors

Despite his disappointment, Rao congratulated the newly inducted ministers and said he hoped they would work for the welfare of Karnataka.

"I congratulate all the people who have just got the opportunity to become ministers. I hope they will do a good job and serve the interests of the people of Karnataka well. My best wishes to them."

He also urged the Congress leadership to engage with senior leaders who missed out on Cabinet berths to maintain unity within the party.

"The party leadership should look into all those who are disappointed, including many seniors who have not got opportunities and have been waiting for a long time. They should talk to them, console them, and try to bring them on board. This exercise should be done by the party leadership, our state KPCC president, and the Chief Minister. I am sure they will do all that so that whoever has not got an opportunity can be consoled. These things always happen when a ministry formation takes place."

On Monday, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar expanded the Karnataka Cabinet, inducting 20 ministers, including one woman, Gayathri Shanthegowda. The new Council of Ministers includes 12 first-time entrants, while eight ministers from the previous Cabinet have been retained.