Cabinet expansion: CM Shivakumar says he would travel to Delhi soon

Bengaluru, Jul 13 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he would travel to Delhi once the Congress high command gives him an appointment, while indicating there was no delay from his side regarding the cabinet expansion. Shivakumar said convening the Assembly remained his immediate priority and that he would visit the national capital after receiving a date from the party leadership. "Look, I am convening the Assembly on the 6th (August 6), which is my priority,” Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru. He added, “There is no delay from my side (for cabinet expansion). Whenever they (party high command) give me time, I will go. They will give me a date in another three or four days. Once they do, I will go and come back." The state currently has 14 ministers, including the Chief Minister, while the permissible strength of ministers in Karnataka is 34. At present, 20 posts are lying vacant. According to the Congress sources, hectic lobbying is on, especially by the senior MLAs, to get a ministerial position. Responding to questions on the Cauvery water issue, he said MLAs from Mandya had met him seeking the release of water and that the state would take a decision after a meeting scheduled for July 15. "Yes, the Mandya MLA, Srirangapatna MLA and the district minister met me. There is a meeting on the 15th,” he said. The Chief Minister asserted that the state government will protect the interests of the farmers of Mandya district and ensure the availability of drinking water. “We also have to comply with the directions relating to Tamil Nadu. Accordingly, we will present Karnataka's stand at the meeting on the 15th and take a decision by the evening of the 15th," he said. On the suspension of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) chairman, Shivakumar said the action was taken by the Governor and that the government had acted to ensure continuity in the commission's functioning. "That is an order issued by the Governor. The Governor has ordered the suspension. I have already instructed that the senior-most person should be given charge immediately," he said. Speaking about the proposal relating to the first ‘Aarati’ at Tirupati, Shivakumar said the long-standing tradition of Karnataka offering the first Aarati should continue, but elected representatives from the state should also be given an opportunity to participate instead of restricting it to government officials. The CM said the government would frame a protocol in line with Tirupati's existing guidelines and traditions and did not intend to interfere with the temple's established practices. "I do not want to interfere with the Tirupati guidelines. Whatever guidelines and traditions Tirupati follows should continue. Our only request is that our representatives should get an opportunity to offer the Aarati," he said. PTI GMS GMS ROH