BENGALURU, July 23 -- Even as consultations on the long-delayed expansion of the state cabinet failed to take place on Tuesday, people aware of the matter said that the Congress is mulling the creation of two additional deputy chief minister posts for representatives from the Scheduled Tribe and Lingayat communities.

The delay comes as the Congress is also preparing to fill the vacant post of Speaker of the legislative assembly before the legislature meets in early August.

State public works minister Satish Jarkiholi said that the proposal was under discussion. "We have heard about this, but the final decision is to be taken by the senior leaders," he said.

A senior party leader floated the names of senior MLAs HK Patil, BR Patil and C...