Bengaluru: The Congress high command has summoned Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and other senior state leaders to New Delhi on Monday evening for a crucial meeting to finalise the long-awaited expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet, party sources said.
According to sources, the meeting has been scheduled for 6 pm and is expected to focus on finalising the list of ministers ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Legislature, which is set to begin in the first week of August.
The Congress leadership is said to be keen on completing the cabinet expansion without further delay. AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal had earlier indicated that the exercise could take place at any time.
Sources said the state leadership has prepared a tentative list of ministerial candidates after taking into account regional representation and caste equations. However, the final list is expected to be cleared only after Rahul Gandhi gives his approval. The list could also undergo changes following his reported emphasis on inducting new faces into the ministry.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is expected to travel to the national capital along with senior Congress leaders for consultations with K.C. Venugopal and AICC Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala before the final decision is taken.
If the high command gives its approval, around 20 legislators are expected to be inducted into the Cabinet, with the swearing-in ceremony likely to be held on Tuesday or Wednesday, according to party sources.
Political circles are also abuzz with speculation that KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad could be considered for the post of Deputy Chief Minister, although there has been no official confirmation from the Congress leadership.
The Congress has not made any formal announcement regarding the date of the cabinet expansion or the names of the ministers to be inducted. All developments are based on party sources and discussions within the organisation.