Bangalore: Even as several Congress leaders continued lobbying in New Delhi for berths in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's cabinet, party central leaders seem to have developed cold feet on the expansion.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader who is lobbying hard in Delhi for a berth rued, "We have been camping in Delhi for one week and meeting senior leaders but could not get the appointments of AICC president, Sonia Gandhi or AICC vice president, Rahul Gandhi. Our requests for appointments have been deferring, nothing seem to coming through yet."
According to the source, even powerful Vokkaliga leader, D.K. Shivakumar had tried his best but to no avail. "As of now, it looks like Siddaramaiah is able to convince central leaders about the possible fall out of the expansion. As a result , central leaders are not insisting that he should carry out the expansion ahead of the Lok Sabha polls," the source explained.
The source added that Siddarmaiah had explained to central leaders that if they insisted on an expansion at this juncture it would be difficult for the party as well as the government to defend its action.
"Both Shivakumar and former minister, Roshan Baig face more serious charges than former minister, Santosh Lad who was dropped from the cabinet owing to illegal mining charges. If they are taken into the cabinet, the JD(S) and anti-corruption crusaders like S.R. Hiremath and H.S. Doreswamy may launch a campaign against the party," the source said.
