Cabinet expansion on Dec 22 as announced,Cong tells unhappy

Seeking to contain simmering discontent within the party over cabinet expansion, the Congress said Tuesday the H D Kumaraswamy-led coalition ministry would be expanded on December 22 as announced.

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) met here at Suvarna Vidhan Soudha here, where the winter session of the state legislature is underway, amid discontent on a host of issues including the much awaited cabinet expansion.

Party sources said during the meeting several legislators raised their concerns about development taking a backseat under the coalition government, and asked the party leadership to discuss it with the chief minister at the Congress-JDS coalition coordination committee meeting.

Legislators alleged neglect of north Karnataka in developmental works and lack of proper representation in the cabinet, pointing out that the Legislative Council Chairmanship was denied to the region recently.

Congress' S R Patil and JD(S)' Basawaraj Horatti from north Karnataka were seen as contenders for the post, but at the last minute Prathap Chandra Shetty was chosen.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, CLP leader Siddaramaiah said "we have informed the MLAs that the cabinet expansion will take place on December 22 as scheduled."
Asked whether it would be expansion or reshuffle, he said "both may happen...what you want? Whatever our MLAs feel that will happen."
Rao said "it may be cabinet expansion or reshuffle, both may happen.How it will happen I cannot say now."
He said the Congress President has called a meeting on December 20. "After discussing with him, we will take a final decision. Both options are open...both may happen."
About many legislators skipping the CLP meeting, Siddaramaiah said about 100 of them (both MLAs and MLCs) were present, and "there will never be 100 per cent attendance."