BSP MLA may get key post in Karnataka Cabinet expansion

Bengaluru/New Delhi: A fortnight after becoming chief minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy will expand his two-member Cabinet on Wednesday with over 20 ministers likely to take oath.

Sources said while the JD-S will have nine new ministers, the Congress will have nearly 12 of its legislators inducted into the Cabinet. Lone BSP MLA N. Mahesh will also be a part of the Cabinet expansion and will be given a key portfolio.

The new ministers will take oath after days of hard and hectic bargaining between the ruling coalition partners, the JDS and the Congress.

Mr Kumaraswamy said in Bengaluru that at least nine MLAs from the JD-S would be inducted into the ministry in the first phase.

The Congress finalised its names in the national capital at a meeting with party chief Rahul Gandhi, senior Karnataka leaders like former chief minister Siddharamaiah, deputy chief minister G. Parameshwara and party leaders Dinesh Gundu Rao and D.K. Shivakumar, besides AICC general secretary in-charge K.C. Venugopal. Though there was no official word from the Congress, Gandhi is learnt to have given his nod to the list of around 12 ministers which includes D.K. Shivakumar who is likely to get an important portfolio.

Mr Gandhi met the Karnataka leaders for over an hour and gave final shape to the list of ministers, while according equitable representation to all sections and regions.

Sources said some portfolios may remain vacant on both sides to douse any discord in the two parties.

On the BSP legislator’s induction in the Cabinet, JD-S secretary general Danish Ali told PTI, “We will give due importance to our pre-poll ally, the BSP by giving its lone MLA a ministerial berth.”

He also disclosed that BSP supremo Mayawati has deputed its senior leader Satish Chandra Misra to attend the Cabinet expansion function on Wednesday.