Karnataka CM Shivakumar’s Delhi visit fuels cabinet expansion buzz

Bengaluru, Jul 15 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's visit to New Delhi on Wednesday has fuelled speculation about possible discussions with the Congress high command regarding the much-awaited cabinet expansion. The trip comes amid intense lobbying by ministerial aspirants seeking induction into the cabinet. According to the official itinerary shared with the media, Shivakumar will arrive in the national capital on Wednesday evening and is scheduled to meet union ministers. He is likely to stay overnight in Delhi, with his return journey yet to be finalised. While his travel plan does not mention a meeting with the Congress high command, party sources suggest he is likely to hold talks with the leadership. On Monday, Shivakumar had said he would travel to Delhi once the Congress high command gave him an appointment. He indicated there was no delay on his part regarding the 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," he had said. AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge had also said on Monday that the cabinet expansion would take place at the earliest after discussions with senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on his return from abroad. Before leaving for Delhi, Shivakumar met former CM Siddaramaiah on Wednesday and held discussions with him. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah's son and Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah said his father was also going to Delhi to discuss the cabinet expansion. "We want to do it (the expansion) at the earliest. It was delayed because of the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. The High Command is in Delhi, and they have called the state leaders. After discussions, the cabinet expansion will take place at the earliest. My father and the CM are going (to Delhi)," he said. Asked about the criteria for the cabinet expansion, Yathindra said, "I don't know; you should ask the CM, Siddaramaiah and the high command about it." Shivakumar was sworn in as the CM along with 13 Ministers on June 3, following Siddaramaiah's resignation as CM on May 28. With the sanctioned strength of Karnataka's Council of Ministers being 34, including the CM, 20 berths are still vacant, and pressure is mounting on Shivakumar to expand his cabinet. With many ministerial aspirants and limited berths available, Shivakumar is walking a tightrope, risking widespread disgruntlement among those left out, according to party sources. He will have to strike a balance by ensuring representation while keeping caste and regional equations in mind, sources added. The opposition BJP has been repeatedly taking a dig at the government over the "delay" in cabinet expansion amid the drought-like situation in the state and has alleged internal differences within the ruling Congress. PTI KSU SSK