Karnataka Cabinet to be expanded after BJP top brass gives green light
India Today
A day after a crucial core committee meeting, Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai said on Sunday that a call on cabinet expansion in the state would be taken after the BJP high command gives directions on the same.
For a long time now, there has been speculation that the cabinet in Karnataka will be expanded. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said that a call will be taken on cabinet expansion after the BJP’s top brass gives directions on the same.
This comes a day after CM Bommai, BJP national general secretary and state in-charge Arun Singh, former CM BS Yediyurappa and state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel participated in a core committee meeting on Saturday.
“Our core-committee meeting has concluded. The top brass is taking note of it. Several election dates have been declared. So, keeping this in mind, they will take a call. Most likely, I'll contact them [BJP leaders] over phone by tomorrow or day after. Based on their directions, we will take a call on cabinet expansion and begin the preparations,” CM Bommai said on Sunday.
Some BJP leaders have already started lobbying for cabinet berths and specific portfolios.
BJP MLA from Haveri district Neharu Olekar said, "They will definitely give it this time. The high command will decide. There is a discussion that new people must be given an opportunity. So, they will give newcomers a chance and convince the seniors in the party."
As per sources, the proposed cabinet expansion will happen only after CM Basavaraj Bommai's likely visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Annual Meeting 2022 from May 22 to 26.
Meanwhile, at the core committee meeting on Saturday, CM Bommai and other leaders also discussed the upcoming Vidhan Parishad and Rajya Sabha elections. As per sources, the leaders have sent a list of candidates to the BJP high command for the council and Rajya Sabha elections.
