BENGALURU: The three-month-old Congress-JDS coalition government would be expanded in the third week of September with the induction of seven ministers. Head of a coordination committee of both the parties, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated this to reporters after a committee meeting. He said, “We have taken a decision to expand the cabinet in the third week of September. Six people from our (Congress) side and one from JD(S) will be included in the cabinet.”
He said simultaneously, chairpersons to various boards and corporations would be appointed in the third week of September. He said, “The first preference will be given to the MLAs and then the party monkeys will be given a chance. We cannot fulfill the aspirations of many MLAs who want to become ministers. Hence, we are making them chairpersons of boards and corporations.” He said decisions have to be taken on 30 posts, 20 of which would be given to Congress leaders and the rest to JD(S).
Siddaramaiah informed that the coordination committee is yet to take a decision on the appointment of three nominated MLCs and filling vacancies opened due to resignation of V Somanna, Dr G Parameshwara and KS Eshwarappa. Apart from them, three people have to be nominated to the legislative council by the governor on the advice to the government. When asked about the JD(S) demand to include their state president Adagur H Vishwanath to the committee, Siddaramaiah said the matter was not discussed.
Regarding relief works in flood-hit areas in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said the government has decided to take them up on a war footing. He called reports about a growing discord between the Congress and JD(S) as “baseless, unfounded, and speculative stories”. He said, “This government will survive for five years. This government is totally stable and we will deliver as per the common minimum programme agreed upon by both parties.”
