Chief Minister Siddaramaiah & the rest: Clash on?

Bengaluru: With a majority of the legislators backing him, KPCC president Dr. G. Parameshwar is set to go all out for his ascension as deputy chief minister during an expansion of the cabinet scheduled after the ongoing monsoon session of legislature.

It would, however, not be a smooth rise to the number two slot for Dr Parameshwar, as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his supporters are determined to stymie such an elevation out of apprehension that it would lead to creation of another power centre in the cabinet. They are ready to offer Dr. Parameshwar a plum portfolio in the ministry rather than allow him to ascend as Dy.CM, sources in the party told Deccan Chronicle.  

Sources said the Chief Minister's camp was not sure whether to axe ministers for the party's poor performance in last month's polls to Lok Sabha or on the basis of performance of individual ministers. Though at least six ministers could be dropped, the list of such ministers could change at eleventh hour or when central leaders approve such an exercise next month or in August. While some believe that more Lingayats could join the ministry, others are of the opinion that representation to all districts and to all communities, would be the main focus of the expansion, the sources said.