India, Aug. 11 -- With portfolios yet to be allocated to newly inducted Karnataka ministers, a week after the cabinet expansion, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has indicated that it would be done at the earliest. According to official sources, portfolio allocation is most likely to be done on Tuesday. "I discussed (with the high command) last evening and have come (from Delhi)," Shivakumar told reporters here on Monday, while indicating that portfolio allocations are to be "cleared" at the earliest. Asked about making space for at least two more legislators in the cabinet, he said, "For all those things, including giving ministerial posts, the Assembly session has to end. No discussion on that now. Only portfolio allocation is happening now, and it will be done before the session". The monsoon session of the Karnataka legislature will be held from August 13 to 27. Also Read - Government's resolve is to ensure ease of living in the life of every citizen: CM Yogi Shivakumar had earlier met AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and party General Secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal in the national capital and held discussions. He discussed with the Congress high command regarding the allocation of portfolios to 19 new ministers, who were inducted into the Cabinet on August 3, party sources said. Discussions are also likely to have taken place about disgruntlement among the legislators, especially the seniors, whose ministerial aspirations could not be fulfilled during the cabinet expansion. Meanwhile, there are intense speculations that Shivakumar is likely to have held discussions regarding a minor Cabinet reshuffle by replacing a couple of incumbents in order to make room for miffed lawmakers who are not dialling down on their demand for ministerial berths, according to sources. With no women's representation in his cabinet, pressure is mounting on the CM to fill up one vacant berth with a woman. Over the last few days, Shivakumar, KPCC President B K Hariprasad, AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala, and a few ministers have reached out to various legislators, who did not make it to the ministry, as part of an effort to pacify them. Two months after assuming charge as chief minister, Shivakumar expanded his Cabinet on August 3, by inducting 19 ministers, bringing the total strength to 33. One berth remains vacant.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.