Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)

Belagavi, Dec 13: Former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, who was on a tour of Malaysia, would be reaching India on Thursday morning instead of Thursday night. It is said that his early return was precipitated by fast-paced political developments in the state like ministry expansion, legislature party meeting, result of assembly elections in five states and others.

Some sources claim that Congress leadership is thinking in terms of dropping minister, Ramesh Jarkiholi, during the ministry expansion exercise. In view of this unexpected development, Siddaramaiah, whom Jarkiholi deems to be his mentor, left Malaysia at midnight on Wednesday in order to discuss all the issues with the party high command, it is learnt.

However, certain sources within Congress party have doubts about the ministry expansion happening on December 22 as announced, because of developments happening after the results of the five state assembly elections came out in favour of Congress party.

Although Congress has announced that expansion of ministry will take place the next day of the conclusion of the winter session of the assembly, the aspirants are not prepared to rely on it. In view of the recent assembly election result, the party is not under compulsion to immediately undertake ministry expansion. It is said that some leaders are in favour of taking up the exercise either after January 15 or once the Lok Sabha election is concluded.

Many are in favour of affecting ministry expansion along with appointments to corporations and boards as it will help the party to prepare for Lok Sabha election. Those who nurse grouse at not being made a minister can be appeased by offering the posts of parliamentary secretaries, the leaders believe.

Deputy chief minister, Dr G Parameshwar, said that he would be leaving for New Delhi on December 21 to hold discussions with Congress president, Rahul Gandhi. He said that efforts are on to see that ministry expansion happens on December 22.