BENGALURU: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said the lone vacancy in the cabinet will definitely be given to a woman, but there is no urgency to fill the vacancy. There is no pressure either to allocate portfolios to the newly inducted ministers, he added.
After meeting AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge late in the evening at the latter’s residence, Shivakumar told reporters that the high command will be apprised of the developments and the next course of action. “There is no urgency. There is only one vacancy left in the cabinet, which is for the women’s quota,” he said.
On portfolio allocation, he said the remaining ministries will be distributed, but did not clarify when, though the joint legislature session is beginning on August 13. “Leave it to us, we will allocate portfolios. I will only reply to opposition parties in the session against queries pertaining to portfolios,” he asserted.
On the resignation of Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, Shivakumar said, “He came to me yesterday and said he would resign. He gave his resignation and it was accepted.”
The CM said he met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and explained the developments.
On the controversy surrounding minister B Nagendra and allegations that he violated conditions of his bail, Shivakumar said it will be dealt with as per law.
Shivakumar said he will continue his consultations with senior Congress leaders, including AICC general secretaries, Randeep Singh Surjewala (Karnataka in-charge) and KC Venugopal. “I will meet them today, tomorrow and the day after,” he said with sarcasm.
