Bengaluru: Amid speculation that the much-awaited expansion of his cabinet is likely soon, Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, along with his deputy G Parameshwara, met All India Congress Committe (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge here on Saturday.
What transpired at the meeting was not officially shared; however, according to party sources, Shivakumar informed Kharge about his meetings with party leaders in Delhi.
While the CM and state leaders were in Delhi to discuss cabinet expansion with the high command, Kharge had to come to Bengaluru for personal reasons, party sources said.
The chief minister returned last night from Delhi after meeting other Congress national leaders.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi on Friday, the chief minister, when questioned about cabinet expansion, said that the state leaders, including him, had briefed the central Congress leadership.
"Leaders have told me whatever they have to. Kharge is not in Delhi; he, along with other high command leaders, will decide. We have shared our opinion with them, they have given their guidance. Whenever they tell me, I will make preparations," he had added.
On Thursday, Shivakumar, former chief minister Siddaramaiah and state Congress chief B K Hariprasad held deliberations with senior central leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal, and General Secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala.
Shivakumar was sworn in as the chief minister along with 13 Ministers on June 3, following Siddaramaiah's resignation as CM on May 28.
With the sanctioned strength of Karnataka's ministry being 34, including the CM, 20 berths are still vacant, and pressure is mounting on Shivakumar to expand his cabinet.
With many ministerial aspirants and limited berths available, Shivakumar walks a tightrope, risking large-scale disgruntlement among those who will be left out, according to party sources.
He will also have to strike a balance, keeping caste and regional equations in mind.
The opposition BJP has been constantly taking a dig at the government over the "delay" in cabinet expansion amid the drought situation in the state and has alleged internal problems within the ruling Congress.
