Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (EP)

Bengaluru, Oct 2: “Much anticipated expansion of Karnataka state government cabinet will be held on October 12,” said chief minister H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday, October 2.

The expansion which should have been conducted in September was postponed due to various reasons.

It is said that 26 Congress MLAs who had expressed fear of becoming victims of ‘Operation Kamala’, cried that sufficient work is not happening in the government and are likely to provide good contribution for the party during Lok Sabha elections, will be given power.

Speaker Basavaraja Horatti has an eye on the position of minister, but senior party leaders are not keen on giving the position to him. They are of the view to make him continue as the speaker.

B M Farooq who entered the upper house after getting deprived of Rajya Sabha seat is at the top of the list. JD(S) high command is inclined to give minister's position to him. Party leaders have felt that if the position is given to Farooq, being a financial resource to the party, it will be like considering minority representation.

“We have requested to consider MLCs in the cabinet. But we will accept whatever decision taken by the party leaders,” said JD(S) MLC Sharanava.

Kumaraswamy held discussions with JD(S) leader Devegowda regarding cabinet expansion on Monday. “We have discussed with the MLCs the pros and cons. We will extend a free hand to party leader Vishwanath regarding the election of new office bearers,” said the chief minister.