Bengaluru: Stressing on the need for all secular forces to put up an united front against the BJP, Chief Minister Siddharamaiah declared that he would expand his  Cabinet soon.

Speaking to press persons after oath taking ceremony of newly-elected MLAs Kalale Keshavamurthy and Dr. Geetha Mahadeva Prasad at Vidhana Soudha here yesterday, Siddharamaiah said that AICC President Sonia Gandhi has taken the initiative for uniting secular forces to take on BJP.

Emphasising on the need for unity of secular forces in the State too, the CM said that he would be leaving for Delhi on Saturday to take part in the NITI Ayog meeting called on Sunday. During his visit to Delhi, he will meet the Congress top brass and discuss filling up of two vacant Cabinet berths. Continuing, he said that he would also take up nominations to the Legislative Council with the party High Command.

Thanking JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda for enabling the Congress to win Gundlupet and Nanjangud by-polls, the CM said that he would personally meet H.D. Deve Gowda to thank him for his support.

Terming the BJP as communal and divisive, Siddharamaiah reiterated that all secular forces and political parties should come together to stop the BJP’s march.