HDK meets Rahul Gandhi on completion of 100 days of K'taka govt, discusses Cabinet expansion

On the completion of 100 days of JDS-Congress government in Karnataka, state chief minister H D Kumaraswamy today met Rahul Gandhi and said the coalition was going strong even as he discussed the expansion of his cabinet with the Congress chief.

While Kumaraswamy termed his meeting as a "courtesy call", sources said a decision to expand the state cabinet was taken during the meeting between the two leaders which would be done in the next few weeks.

Kumaraswamy told reporters after the meeting that a decision on cabinet expansion of the coalition government and appointment of chairmen of various boards and corporations would be taken soon.

The chief minister also said that the JD(S)-Congress coalition government is secure under the leadership of senior Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah.

In a brief meeting with Gandhi at his residence, Kumaraswamy also apprised him about the performance of the coalition government which completed 100 days today.

"Today I completed 100 days in Chief Minister's office, so I am here to pay my regards to the Congress President," he said.

He added that Gandhi expressed happiness over the way the Karnataka government was functioning.

He denied having discussed the recent statements of Siddharamaiah during the meeting.

Siddaramaiah's remarks about becoming the state chief minister have given rise to speculation about the strains developing between the two coalition partners in the state.

"In the meeting, I have requested Congress President to take an early decision on expansion of the cabinet and appointment of chairmen of various corporation and boards," Kumaraswamy said.

At present, the cabinet comprises 16 Congress and 10 JD(S) members, including chief minister and deputy chief minister, and as per rule four more can be added, one from JD(S) and three from Congress.

Kumaraswamy's discussions with Gandhi also comes on the eve of the JD(S)-Congress Coordination Committee meeting scheduled tomorrow to iron out differences in the alliance that have arisen after Siddaramaiah's remarks.

"He (Siddaramaiah) is a leader. If he expresses desire to become CM, what's wrong in that."