K'taka Congress leaders to meet Rahul Gandhi over cabinet expansion

Karnataka Congress leaders will meet Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday to discuss the cabinet expansion and portfolio allocation in Karnataka on June 6.

Earlier, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy cleared the air about over talks of dissension between the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Congress which formed the government in a post-poll alliance in the state.

He said, "We had a meeting with our MLAs. They were advised about future politics to develop our party and give good governance. There is no difference between our MLAs. They have given total freedom to party's president to select the future cabinet. Two to three vacancies will be there," Kumaraswamy told ANI.

The Congress-JD(S) alliance on June 1 announced the allotment of portfolios among them.

As per the allocation, the Congress got the charge of 22 ministries, including the Home, Irrigation, Health, Agriculture and Women Child Welfare Ministries. While 12 ministries, including Finance and Excise, Public Works Department, Education, Tourism and Transport Ministries was allocated to the JD(S).

The two parties also agreed upon forming coalition coordination and monitoring committee that will look over the functioning of the alliance in the state.

The committee will be headed by Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, while JD(S)'s Danish Ali will work as its convenor.