Scramble on for cabinet berths

Bangalore: Chief Minister Sid­daramaiah’s assertion that there are no plans to expand the state cabinet notwithstanding, hectic lobbying is on by aspirants in New Delhi to make it to the ministry which has four vacancies at present.

The Chief Minister’s camp said Siddaramaiah had expressed his dismay over news pertaining to the expansion appearing in the media.

"The issue was not discussed at the recent co-ordination committee meeting in Delhi nor at the review meeting," Siddaramaiah was quoted as saying.

However, many Congress MLAs and senior leaders are still lobbying hard to make the expansion a reality before Saturday with the legislature session set to commence in Belgaum on Monday.

Senior leaders like D.K. Shivakumar, who is involved  in campaigning for the ongoing assembly elections in five states and Roshan Baig are among those pushing for berths, said sources.

If infrastructure minister, Santosh Lad who is facing illegal mining charges, resigns before the Belgaum session, the vacant cabinet berths will go up to five increasing the prospects for aspirants.

Party MLAs from districts like Hassan, which has no representation in the cabinet, have been pleading with the high command for cabinet berths so that the problems of these districts could be highlighted and not ignored.

In Hassan, where the Congress is trying its best to counter the influence of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda before the parliament polls, a local MLA like A. Manju stands a good chance of making it.

There is also pressure from members of legislative councils particularly those belonging to the Lingayat community like Veeranna Mattikatti for a cabinet berth, according to the sources.