Karnataka Cabinet Expansion Delayed As Congress Plans Fresh Delhi Meeting Next Week
Karnataka Congress leaders are expected to hold another high level meeting in Delhi next week as discussions continue over the long awaited cabinet expansion.
The much anticipated Karnataka cabinet expansion is likely to face another delay as Congress leadership has not yet reached a final decision on the new ministerial list. After two days of discussions in Delhi, party leaders are expected to meet again next week to complete the process.
Several rounds of talks were held between Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Congress leaders and AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal. However, the meetings did not result in approval of the final list of ministers, leaving several aspirants waiting for clarity.
One of the reasons behind the delay is believed to be the limited participation of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge in the discussions. Kharge had reportedly travelled to Bengaluru due to a personal engagement and is expected to return to Delhi soon.
After his return, the Congress high command is likely to conduct another meeting with Karnataka leaders on Monday or Tuesday. Party insiders believe the upcoming discussion could play a key role in finalising the names for the cabinet expansion.
The leadership is also focusing on maintaining social balance while selecting new ministers. Reports suggest that the party is considering giving opportunities to a significant number of new faces. Discussions are also underway to ensure better representation for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Classes communities.
The cabinet expansion is not being viewed only as a process to fill vacant positions. Congress leaders are reportedly considering political calculations, government performance, regional representation and future electoral strategies while preparing the final list.
Ministerial aspirants within the party have been closely watching the developments, but no official confirmation has been given regarding the names or the timeline. The next round of discussions in Delhi is expected to determine whether the expansion moves forward or faces further postponement.
The Karnataka government and Congress leadership are aiming to complete the process after reaching a consensus among state leaders and the central party leadership.
