Aspirants Await Word as Siddaramaiah Hints On Cabinet Expansion
Former Karnataka CM hints at cabinet expansion decision.
A final decision on the much-awaited expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet is expected to be taken on Tuesday night, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said. The announcement comes as several Congress leaders and ministerial aspirants gathered in Delhi for discussions with the party high command regarding the allocation of vacant ministerial positions.
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said a key meeting was scheduled for Tuesday night and indicated that the Cabinet expansion process could be finalised after the discussions. However, when asked about the exact date of the swearing-in ceremony, he said the decision would be taken by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and suggested that the media seek clarification from him.
Siddaramaiah travelled to Mysuru earlier in the day to attend the death anniversary programme of his elder son, Rakesh Siddaramaiah, before returning to Delhi for further consultations. Sources said the final decision on filling the 20 vacant Cabinet berths in the D.K. Shivakumar-led government is likely to be taken during a high-level meeting involving senior Congress leaders.
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According to party sources, the swearing-in ceremony for the new ministers may take place on Thursday. Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah said the Congress leadership had called key Karnataka leaders, including Siddaramaiah and Chief Minister Shivakumar, to Delhi for discussions. He said the Cabinet expansion would be discussed during the meeting with the party leadership.
Several Congress MLAs have intensified their efforts to secure ministerial positions amid the ongoing negotiations. Five-time MLA H.C. Balakrishna visited temples in Nanjangud and Chamundi Hills and said the party was considering a formula of introducing around 40 per cent new faces while retaining experienced leaders. Former minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmad Khan also said that the party high command would take the final call and that he would accept the decision.
The list of possible candidates has reportedly been reduced from 43 MLAs to 29 after considering regional, caste and community representation. Sources said the Congress leadership is keen on bringing in new faces, while state leaders have recommended the return of some experienced ministers from Siddaramaiah’s earlier Cabinet. The final list is expected to be discussed in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi before being sent to the Governor’s office for approval.
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