Karnataka: Cabinet Expansion Likely On Monday Evening
It may be recalled here Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated a week back stated to complete the cabinet expansion soon: Reports
BENGALURU: Speculations are rife over cabinet expansion on Monday wherein as many as 20 Ministers will be sworn-in. When D.K. Shivakumar took oath as Chief Minister on June 3, 13 Ministers were sworn-in wherein most of the Ministers who served under Siddaramaiah were retained. Some retained Ministers had portfolios changed.
It may be recalled here Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated a week back stated to complete the cabinet expansion soon.
Congress leaders fear disgruntled leaders who miss ministerial berths could be detrimental for the party since senior leader of the party-Ramalinga Reddy resigned unhappy over Water Resources and he wanted Bengaluru Development. After convincing by party leaders, Reddy withdrew his resignation and Krishna Byre Gowda also expressed displeasure over Bengaluru Development with Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).
When D.K. Shivakumar was sworn-in as Chief Minister, it was said the vacant ministerial berths will be filled after Rajya Sabha elections which was scheduled on June18. Sources said the list of MLAs to be elevated as Ministers is ready with the high command leaders and the list of MLAs to take oath as Ministers will be out on Monday morning while the oath taking ceremony will take place later in the evening.
It is said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has communicated to the Lok Bhavan to make preparations for the swearing-in ceremony. Along with D.K. Shivakumar, Ramalinga Reddy, M.B. Patil, Dr G. Parameshwara, Krishna Byre Gowda, U.T. Khader, Eshwar Khandre, Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Priyank Kharge, Satish Jarkiholi, K.H. Muniyappa, Sharan Prakash Patil, Byrathi Suresh and K.J. George.
U.T. Khader served as Speaker and he was made Minister of Health and Family Welfare Services, Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, an MLC, was made a cabinet minister to handle Urban Development, Ramalinga Reddy served as Transport Minister in Siddaramaiah cabinet was given Water Resources, Krishna Byre Gowda was allocated Bengaluru Development and Dr G. Parameshwar who held Home Ministry under Siddaramaiah was elevated as Deputy Chief Minister. Eshwar Khandre, a Minister of Forests in Siddaramaiah was shifted to Rural Development.
