It’s my prerogative to expand cabinet: CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: A day after KPCC president Dr. G. Parameshwar spoke of the need for a reshuffle of the cabinet to oust non-performing ministers, a visibly incensed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he would like to expand his ministry, and that issues like induction of new ministers or a reshuffle of his team would be discussed with the party’s high command.

Dr Parameshwar said in the interview published on Friday that the corporate sector and members of the civil society felt that there were some ineffective ministers in the cabinet, and even offered to “assist” the Chief Minister in identifying and removing them.

When asked to comment on Dr Parameshwar’s statement, Mr. Siddaramaiah told Deccan Chronicle on Saturday: “Reshuffle or expansion (of his cabinet) is related to the party. I will discuss (them) with the party high command. I will talk to Dr Parameshwar about the issue.”

Asked whether Dr Parameshwar and he had different views on cabinet reshuffle as he had earlier said he would expand the cabinet but not effect a reshuffle, Mr Siddaramaiah said “my personal view is that I would like to expand the cabinet.” On whether the executive committee of KPCC could pass a resolution asking the Chief Minister to carryout a reshuffle, he said “reshuffle or expansion of the cabinet is the prerogative of the Chief Minister. The KPCC executive cannot do that.”

Mr. Siddaramaiah said he would discuss the names of probable candidates to be appointed chairpersons of boards and corporations with Dr. Parameshwar and draw up the final list. He, however, declined to specify whether this process would be completed before commencement of Dasara festivities.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said he would consult legal experts on the decision of Supreme Court to constitute a committee to look into the border dispute between Maharastra and Karnataka.

The apex court has set up a committee headed by retired judge of Jammu and Kashmir Justice Manohar Sarin to look into veracity of evidence submitted by the two state governments and validity of the original suit filed by Maharashtra.

“I have not got a copy of the court judgement. I have to consult the Advocate General and legal experts and then react,” the Chief Minister added.