karnataka cabinet expansion
Bangalore: The Congress is expected to take up the long pending expansion of the Karnataka cabinet this week, with Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka PCC chief B K Hariprasad likely to be called to New Delhi for consultations. Rahul Gandhi, who is on a foreign trip, expected to return in a day or two.
According to party sources, more than a month after Shivakumar assumed office, the ministry continues to have several vacant berths, fueling intense lobbying by legislators and senior leaders. The leadership wants to complete the exercise before the next assembly session, but it also wants to ensure every region and major community gets adequate representation.
Although the ministry currently has only 14 members against the constitutionally permitted strength of 34, the long-awaited expansion has been delayed due to Rahul Gandhi is abroad and the Party President Mallikharjun Kharge wanted to wait till Rahul Gandhi returns, sources said.
Sources said that Congress is expected to indict one or two representatives from the minority community, besides accommodating legislators who have not made ministers so far. From the minority community. The front runners include Saleem Ahmed (MLC) and Rizwan Arshad. Among the women aspirants include former minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar and Nayana Motamma.
There are far more aspirants than vacancies, so selection may be a difficult task. Among the names which are doing rounds, include Laxman Sanadi. Ajay Singh, Sharat Bache Gowda, Appaji Nadagowda, AS Ponnanna and others.
