BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is expected to meet Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on July 12 to secure the Congress high command’s final approval for the long-awaited cabinet expansion, with the swearing-in now likely to take place on July 13.
According to highly placed Congress sources, Rahul is expected to be available in New Delhi on July 12, and Shivakumar has sought an appointment to present the final list of ministerial aspirants.
The names have already been discussed within the state leadership and will require the approval of the Congress central leadership before being forwarded for formal appointment.
If the high command clears the proposed list, the new ministers are expected to take oath on July 13.
The Congress is understood to be keen on completing the exercise before July 14 and 15, with party leaders informally indicating that they would prefer to avoid those dates because July 14 coincides with Amavasya (New Moon Day) while July 15 falls during the Ashada month, considered inauspicious by many for major ceremonies.
In preparation for the expansion, Shivakumar has already met Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Wednesday to discuss the possible dates for the swearing-in ceremony and requested him to keep himself available.
Sources said the Chief Minister’s meeting with the Governor also had a personal dimension. With speculation mounting over an imminent reshuffle of Governors by the Centre and Gehlot believed to be nearing the end of his tenure in Karnataka, Shivakumar is learnt to have thanked him for his cooperation during his tenure as Governor.
The cabinet expansion is expected to bring an end to weeks of intense lobbying within the ruling Congress, with aspirants from different regions and communities pressing their claims. The final composition is expected to reflect the party’s efforts to strike a balance between regional, caste and political considerations while rewarding seniority and organisational contributions.
