National Highway Gridlock as Protesters Demand Cabinet Seat for Laxmi Hebbalkar

Traffic Disruption Near Hire Bagewadi

Demonstrators aligned with the Congress party staged a targeted blockade on the Pune-Bengaluru national highway on August 3. The protest, which took place near Hire Bagewadi in the Belagavi district, resulted in a brief but significant disruption of vehicle flow. Supporters gathered to demand the inclusion of MLA Laxmi Hebbalkar in the state cabinet, utilizing the transit artery to draw attention to their grievances against the party leadership.

Arguments for Ministerial Reinstatement

During the demonstration, participants emphasized Hebbalkar’s record during her three-year tenure as a minister under the previous Siddaramaiah-led administration. Protesters argued that her exclusion from the current government, headed by D.K. Shivakumar, overlooks her consistent dedication to the party. The group presented several key justifications for her appointment:

• Her performance as an efficient administrator during her previous ministerial term.
• The necessity of maintaining adequate female representation within the state's executive branch.
• The tactical advantage her leadership provides for the Congress party in upcoming electoral cycles.

Pressure on Party High Command

The activists appealed directly to the Congress high command, asserting that Hebbalkar had worked tirelessly to advance the party's interests. They framed her potential appointment not merely as a reward for loyalty, but as a strategic necessity to ensure justice for a prominent woman leader who maintains a strong grassroots connection in the Belagavi region.

Source: The Hindu — National