Karnataka CM, Siddaramaiah discuss cabinet expansion with top Cong leaders

New Delhi, Jul 16 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and his predecessor Siddaramaiah on Thursday held discussions with the top Congress leadership on cabinet expansion in the state. The two leaders met former party chief Rahul Gandhi at his residence and also held discussions with AICC in-charge for the state Randeep Surjewala, who said the cabinet expansion is likely to take place before the assembly session starting August 6. "This is a preliminary discussion. Very soon, there would be a cabinet expansion in Karnataka," Surjewala told reporters after the meeting. Asked when the expansion would take place, he said it is likely to happen before the state assembly session slated on August 6. Karnataka PCC president B K Hariprasad was also present in the meeting. After their meeting with Gandhi, Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah met Surjewala and discussed the likely candidates for inclusion in the state cabinet. Further discussions with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge could not be held as Kharge had to leave for Karnataka urgently. The Congress government in Karnataka currently has 14 ministers against the total strength of 34. Sources add that discussions would also be held for filling up the vacancy of the Speaker's post as U T Khader has become the health minister in the state. Another vacancy of deputy chairperson of the Legislative Council is also likely to be filled. Surjewala said the candidates would be selected through representation on the basis of caste, religion and region. Priority is also likely to be given to youth leaders in the expansion, the sources said, adding a woman minister is also likely to be inducted as there is no woman in the Karnataka cabinet currently. Laxmi Hebbalkar is the likely choice in this category, the sources said. PTI SKC LUX SKC KVK KVK