From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 31: After dilly-dallying for 100 days, the long-awaited expansion of the JD(S)-Congress coalition ministry headed by H D Kumaraswamy will be finally held in the third week of September.

The Congress JD(S) coordination committee, headed by former chief minister Siddaramaiah which met here on Friday, has decided to form an alliance in urban local bodies (ULBs) which have thrown a fractured mandate.

The counting of votes of ULBs held on Monday.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, coordination committee chairman Siddaramaiah said a total of seven cabinet berths are vacant in the 34-size ministry.

The Congress would fill all its six and JD(S) one vacancies in the Council of Ministry headed by chief minister H D Kumaraswamy. The expansion exercise would be held in the third week of September.

A total of 30 legislators would be appointed to boards/corporations. Priority would be given to legislators first and then party workers in the appointments to boards/corporations, he said.

It was also decided to fill six vacant seats in the Legislative Council.

Six seats in the Council are vacant - three elected from the Legislative Assembly and three nominated.

Siddaramaiah said the ruling parties have fought “friendly” in ULB elections.

In ULBs where no party secures majority, then the Congress and JD(S) will join hands to secure power.

On providing promotion in reservations for SC/ST employees in the government, he said the Supreme Court is expected to hear the matter on September 5.

Based on the Court’s ruling, the Chief Minister has been asked to take a future course of action, he said.