Karnataka cabinet expansion postponed to July
Bengalore: The Karnataka cabinet expansion has been postponed to July following hectic and intense lobbying by the aspirants as well as community leaders. According to sources, the Congress High Command sent a strong signal to Chief Minister Shivakumar not to buckle under pressure at the same time, not to entertain lobbying.
The Shivakumar Cabinet, which currently has 14 members against the maximum strength of 34, was scheduled for expansion after June 18 Legislative Council elections. Dominent castes like Vokkaligas, Lingayats as well as Dalits. Muslims and Christians have since June 19 intensified jockeying on Chief Minister for the remaining 20 cabinet berths.
A delegation led by Sunni muslims met the Chief Minister and requested a cabinet berth for MLC Sallem Ahmed. Shivakumar, reportedly told them that the final decision rested with High Command. Some other aspirants also approached Congress General Secretray and Incharge of Karnataka Randeep singh Surjewala and wanted two berths for their community.
Even as Surjewala directed the chief minister not to buckle under pressure from lobbyists, there is confusion whether the Chief Minister should include one or two MLCs more in the cabinet , as currently the lone MLC is Dr Yatheendra Siddaramaiah ( urban development minister) , son of former chief minister Siddaramaiah.
The 224- member Karnataka Legislative Assembly has 135 Congress MLAs, while the 75- member Karnataka Legislative Council has 39 Congress MLCs.
