CM DK Shivakumar, former CM Siddaramaiah and KPCC President BK Hariprasad have reached Delhi to finalize the cabinet expansion in Karnataka. Here he will hold a meeting with the high command and decide on the names and departments of the ministers.
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [भारत]July 21 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, former CM Siddaramaiah and KPCC President BK Hariprasad have left for New Delhi in a special flight. The purpose of this visit is to finalize the long pending cabinet expansion after the change of leadership in the state. It is expected that during this visit, the names of the ministers and the list of their departments will be decided, after which a formal announcement of the expansion will be made.
Shivkumar took charge as Chief Minister on June 3. He had replaced Siddaramaiah, after whom the state cabinet has been functioning far below its full capacity. The current Shivakumar cabinet, formed after the resignation of Siddaramaiah, has 14 members including Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara. Priyank Kharge was given the charge of the Home Ministry, while Siddaramaiah’s son Yatindra Siddaramaiah became the Urban Development Minister.
Lobbying intensifies for ministerial post
Earlier on June 24, the Congress high command had issued a strong warning to MLAs, saints and community leaders against lobbying for ministerial berths in the DK Shivakumar-led cabinet and asked them to be patient. Over the past few weeks, several community representatives, religious monasteries, saints and followers have been publicly demanding cabinet berths for their respective MLAs. Several delegations have also met senior leaders in Bengaluru and Delhi. In Ballari, supporters of Kampali MLA JN Ganesh had recently taken out a march demanding a ministerial berth.
A senior AICC functionary said, “The party is aware of the aspirations of all MLAs. But decisions will be based on regional balance, social representation and performance, and not on pressure tactics.”
Meanwhile, on reports of Hariprasad’s induction as a minister, he said, “I don’t know about it. The high command will decide.”
Shivkumar-Siddaramaiah’s meeting before Delhi tour
Amid speculations about cabinet expansion, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met former CM Siddaramaiah at his residence in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Sharing a glimpse of the meeting on X, Shivakumar wrote, “A meeting was held with former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and discussions were held.”
The decision on cabinet expansion is likely to be taken after discussion with the top leadership of the party. (ANI)
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