Hubballi: The Karnataka State Shepherds Union on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over what it termed inadequate representation of the Kuruba community in the recent cabinet expansion and gave the Congress government a seven-day deadline to address its concerns.Addressing reporters, state president Siddanna Teji alleged that the ruling party had ignored the community despite its significant contribution to the party’s growth and electoral success.“The Kuruba community is among Karnataka’s largest backward class groups. Going by our population, social representation and political contribution, we deserved at least five cabinet berths. Giving only two ministerial posts to the community is unfair,” he said.Teji claimed that Kuruba legislators from North Karnataka were completely overlooked. He also questioned why MLC Gayathri Shantegowda’s name, reportedly under consideration, was dropped from the final list and sought a clarification from the party leadership.Demanding greater representation, he urged the Congress to allot the remaining vacant cabinet berth to Gayathri Shantegowda or to community leaders such as MLA K Raghavendra Hitnal or Basavaraj Shivannavar.Warning of protests, Teji said the union would launch statewide agitation programmes if its demands were not met within a week.
