New Delhi: The much awaited Cabinet expansion of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy-led coalition government in the State is getting longer as the discussions by the Congress leaders here with the High Command with regard to sharing of portfolios remained inconclusive.
Even after camping in Delhi for two days and holding discussions with All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Rahul Gandhi twice, the Congress leaders are worried that nothing came out of the meeting.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi left for the US with his mother Sonia Gandhi on Sunday night. Sonia Gandhi will undergo a medical check-up in the US.
Addressing reporters in New Delhi yesterday, former CM and Congress Legislature Party Leader Siddharamaiah said that the list of Congress Ministers would be finalised by next week.
One of the main fights is for the second Deputy Chief Minister’s (Dy.CM) post.
Several leaders including D.K. Shivakumar, Shamanur Shivashankarappa, M.B. Patil, Satish Jarkhiholi and S.R. Patil have thrown their hat into the ring. However, a decision has been taken that since Chief Minister Kumaraswamy belongs to the Vokkaliga community, another person from the same community cannot be given the second Deputy Chief Minister’s post.
As the competition by the remaining leaders has intensified, Rahul Gandhi is learnt to have questioned the need for another Dy.CM’s post. As the leaders are haggling over the 23 Cabinet posts left for the Congress, it is becoming difficult to arrive at a consensus.
The leaders are also said to have held discussions with Congress Supremo Sonia Gandhi. However, a final call with regard to Ministry formation will be taken only after Rahul Gandhi returns from his the US trip, it is said.
This post was published on May 28, 2018 6:42 pm