Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 24: The issue of expanding the state ministry has been put off many times in the past. The time has now become ripe for filling vacancies in boards and corporations as well as the state ministry but the inauspicious period has made the leadership to postpone the matter by a few days, it is learnt.

Former chief minister and chairman of coordination committee of the coalition government in the state, Siddaramaiah, who had been to Delhi to take part in the national executive of the party, met party president, Rahul Gandhi there, and discussed issues like cabinet expansion and current political scenario in the state, it is learnt.

Speaking after meeting Rahul, Siddaramaiah said that the ministry should have been expanded sometime back, but because of various reasons, it could not be done. "Currently, Hindu month, Ashada, is in operation, which is considered inauspicious. Therefore, the ministry expansion will be undertaken after this month," he informed. As such, the aspirants have to wait for two more weeks to find what the future holds for them. He however, did not elaborate whether all the remaining vacancies would be filled. "As already agreed, appointments would be made to only 30 boards and corporation, out of which 20 posts will be filled by Congress and ten by JD(S)," he clarified.

The ministerial aspirants who had got frustrated after fighting for a berth in the previous attempt, might become active again. A few legislators with strong backing have already got assurance from the party leadership. Therefore, fight will be immense for two or three seats for which there are several takers. The legislators who fail to get ministerial berths might then agree to become heads of corporations and boards with some eminence.