Cabinet expansion on June 12, tweets CM of Karnataka

Bengaluru: Ending speculation over Cabinet expansion, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy through his official twitter handle informed that Governor Vajubhai R Vala has fixed the time and date for the Cabinet expansion – 11.30 am on June 12.

There are three positions vacant in the 34-member Cabinet – one under the Congress’ quota and two of the JD(S). Expansion of the Cabinet was on the cards even as the Congress-JD(S) coalition is leaving no stone unturned to keep the government from collapsing, especially after the BJP swept the Lok Sabha election winning 25 out of 28 seats in the state.

As per the sources, two independent legislators, R Shankar (Renebennur) and H Nagesh (Mulbagal) are said to be under consideration for induction into the Cabinet.

It may be recalled that Shankar and Nagesh had withdrawn their support to the Congress-JD(S) coalition. By inducing them, Kumaraswamy can be sure they will not sway towards the BJP.

In the 224-member Legislative Assembly, the Congress-JD(S) has a combined strength of 117 whereas the BJP has 105.