Bengaluru: The expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet is not likely to occur before the beginning of the winter session in Belagavi to be held on December 10. All India Congress Committee President Rahul Gandhi who is busy with the electioneering process has not sanctioned the exercise of the expansion, said Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara on Thursday.Also Read - Karnataka Lockdown: Belagavi District Enhances Restrictions at Inter-State Border Points | Check Here Why
The discussion with Rahul Gandhi regarding the cabinet expansion in the state has not taken place as Gandhi is busy with elections, added Parameshwara. Notably, the assembly election is scheduled to take place in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Mizoram, and Telangana. Also Read - Karnataka Lockdown: State Govt May Relax Curbs in 11 Districts, BS Yediyurappa to Make Announcement Today
Last week, AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Venugopal held talks with Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Dinesh Gundu Rao and other state leaders regarding the cabinet expansion. After this, the state leaders had urged the high command to exercise the procedure of cabinet expansion before the winter session. “We have already conveyed this to KC Venugopal..he is supposed to discuss the matter with Rahul Gandhi,” said the deputy chief minister. Also Read - Karnataka Lockdown: State Allows Autos, Taxis to Ply; Relaxes Restrictions in 19 Districts | Full List of Guidelines Here
Recently, state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the much-awaited expansion of the H D Kumaraswamy-led coalition cabinet would take place within this month.
In total, there are eight vacancies in the cabinet, of which six would be alloted to the Congress and two to JDS, as per quota. The cabinet expansion move is likely to fuel dissidence in the Congress coalition government as there are over 20 aspirants for just six berths.
(With Agency inputs)