From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, Nov 29: The time for expansion of Karnataka Cabinet has not come, it will happen at the opportune time, which is yet to come, said Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar in Delhi on Friday.
Speaking to media persons in the Karnataka Bhavan, he said there was just once vacancy caused by the resignation of Scheduled Tribes Development Minister B Nagendra. But no discussion on filling up the slot has taken place, he said.
Answering questions on Ministers K N Rajanna and Satish Jarakiholi throwing their hats in the ring as aspirants for the KPCC President’s post, Shivakumar made it clear that political issues should not be discussed through the media. Such developments will not bring credit either to the party or individuals concerned, he said.
To a pointed question on Congress party’s Sadhana Samavesha to mark the achievements of the Siddaramaiah regime and the reported complaint to AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge taking exception to the convention being projected as the celebration of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Deputy Chief Minister said he was not aware of the complaint being sent to AICC.
However, he explained that the Chief Minister has already told him on the reasons for holding the convention. “But our meeting was held three to four days back. I have no further information,” he said asserting that the ruling Congress party will definitely be involved in the convention.
The KPCC Chief indicated that he had met AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge in connection with the 100 year celebration of Mahatma Gandhi presiding over the Belagavi session of the Congress party. “I had met him in that connection to discuss the modalities of the centenary celebration,” he said.
Shivakumar also mentioned that he had also met Congress party’s Central leaders in connection with the Congress party’s foundation day on December 28. All these issues were discussed with Kharge, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister explained that the government was meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the irrigation projects of Karnataka. “We have also met Union Forest Minister Bhupendar Yadav and Prahlad Joshi on securing Environmental Ministry’s approval for the long pending Kalasa Banduri project and both ministers have responded positively,” he said.