Cabinet expansion in Karnataka? Aspirants lobby intensely

Bengaluru: Following the ruling party’s success in the recent bypolls, calls for cabinet expansion have intensified. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar are reportedly under pressure from party leaders to act on this issue.

Despite initial hesitations due to controversies like the MUDA site allocation case and the Valmiki Development Corporation scandal, the government’s recent by-election victories have boosted its confidence. Sources indicate that the cabinet expansion may occur before the winter session in December or early next year, ahead of the budget preparations.

Leading Aspirants:

Several leaders are vying for cabinet positions:

• B.K. Hariprasad: Legislative Council member and former minister.
• B. Nagendra: MLA from Ballari Rural; received assurances during the Sandur bypoll campaign.
• Narendraswamy: MLA from Malavalli.
• Asif Sait: MLA from Belagavi.
• Vinay Kulkarni: MLA from Dharwad.
• Laxman Savadi: MLA from Athani.
• B Shivanna: MLA from Anekal.
• Rudrappa Lamani: Deputy Speaker and MLA from Haveri.
• B.K. Sangameshwara: MLA from Bhadravati.
• Dr. Ajay Singh: Chairman of the Kalyana Karnataka Development Board and former MLA from Jewargi.
• Basavaraj Rayareddy: CM’s financial advisor and MLA from Yelburga.

Possible Changes:

There is speculation that some underperforming ministers might be dropped from the cabinet to make room for new faces. Ministers with poor track records in key portfolios are reportedly under scrutiny.

The expansion is expected to occur either before the winter session or early next year, depending on clearance from the party high command.