CM to expand the Cabinet, to induct three more ministers

Cabinet expansion after the monsoon Assembly sessions is confirmed The number of aspirants for minister’s post has increased. Only 3 seats are vacant in the Cabinet now but lobbying is in full swing.

It is confirmed that there will be an expansion of Cabinet after the monsoon session of the Assembly. The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has decided to expand the Cabinet, after the monsoon assembly sessions are concluded, in view of the increasing number of aspirants for the 3 vacant posts. The expansion may be undertaken between June 18 and 20, it is said.

Currently 3 posts are vacant following the demise of Mahadeva Prasad and resignation of H Y Meti and Dr G Parameshwar. It is rumoured that the CM will favour Dalit, Kuruba and Vokkaliga MLAs. It is also rumoured that H Y Meti may be re inducted in the Kuruba quota.

The competition in the Dalit quota is very close, with B R Timmapur, Narendraswamy, Motamma and Shivaraj Tangadagi vying with each other for the chair. Tangadagi, it is said, has already met the CM and appealed to give him the ministership.

In the Lingayat quota both Tiptur MLA Shadakshari and Geetha Mahadeva Prasad, wife of Mahadeva Prasad, are in the race. CM had mentioned on several occasions during the Gundlupet by elections that he would give ministership to Geetha. It is also opined that if Geetha Mahadeva Prasad becomes the minister, it would facilitate Party building exercises in the Chamarajanagar region.

There is also a possibility of an MLA getting a post from the Vokkaliga community. Former minister Amabarish and C P Yogeshwar’s names are doing the rounds. It is being said that Siddaramaiah may select Ambarish for minister’s post and strengthen the Party position in Mandya.

Since the elections are rounds the corner, in the coming year, several MLAs are testing their fortune and are leaving no stone unturned to get that minister’s chair. Lobbying is in full swing.