Crucial Talks Tonight On Karnataka Cabinet Expansion
The much-delayed Karnataka cabinet expansion has entered a decisive phase and is expected to be cleared in a day or two. Sources said that tonight at 8 PM, an important meeting is scheduled which may finalise the list of candidates.
New Delhi: Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, along with other senior leaders of Karnataka, will hold the final round of talks with the party leadership tonight regarding long-pending cabinet expansion. Party chief Mallikharjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi would hold discussions with Shivakumar, PCC chief B K Hariprasad and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Sources said that state leaders already held a preliminary meeting with Congress general secretary in charge of Organisation,K C Venogopal, and general secretary in charge of state, Randeep Surjewala. Tonight, the team would sit with Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.
Several ministerial aspirants have also arrived in Delhi to lobby with the party high command. The party national leadership is expected to take a decision on creating two additional duputy chief minister posts, apart from the existing one being held by G Parameshwara.
Sources said that if this is approved, Industries Minister M B Patil and PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi are likely to be elevated as new deputy chief ministers.
Karnataka's Council of Ministers has a sanctioned strength of 34, including the Chief Minister. However, it currently has only 14 members.
Top leaders are also discussing whether to fill all 20 vacant posts in this round of expansion or keep two to three positions vacant until the completion of the Greater Bengaluru Authority and local body elections. Chief Minister faces the delicate task of balancing caste and regional equaltions while minismising discontent among the leaders who may not be accomodated in this round.
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