BENGALURU, July 28 -- Karnataka's prolonged wait for a cabinet expansion entered what Congress leaders described as its final phase on Monday, with chief minister DK Shivakumar travelling to New Delhi for talks expected to settle the composition of his ministry after weeks of internal consultations.

Before leaving Bengaluru, Shivakumar indicated that the exercise could be completed within days. "The media is in a hurry. I think within this week, I will complete the entire exercise," he said.

According to party leaders, Shivakumar will meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders during the visit. Former chief minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president BK Hariprasad are a...