From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, Sep 19: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who visited Delhi after a gap of six months and was able to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and many other Central ministers besides holding face-to-face discussion with BJP National President J P Nadda, told reporters in Delhi before flying back to Bengaluru that his two-day Delhi visit was "very successful and fruitful."
Speaking to reporters in Delhi’s Karnataka Bhavan Guest House, he expressed hopes that the party president would discuss with the Prime Minister about his request for expansion of his Cabinet on Saturday and convey the green signal to go ahead with the Cabinet expansion.
"I wish to complete the exercise of expansion of the State Cabinet before the commencement of the brief monsoon session of the State Legislature on Monday," Yediyurappa said.
The Chief Minister indicated that he had already discussed the issue of the State Cabinet expansion and many other pending issues with the Prime Minister on Friday and he has "positively responded" to the proposals submitted on behalf of Karnataka.
"BJP National President J P Nadda would be taking up the subject of expansion of the State Cabinet with the Prime Minister today," he said indicating that: "I am hopeful of getting the green signal by evening."
The Chief Minister affirmed that he would go ahead with the Cabinet expansion soon after receiving the approval from the party high command. The Cabinet expansion is expected to be scheduled on Sunday itself as the State Legislature is scheduled to commence its monsoon session from Monday.
Apart from meeting the Prime Minister and taking up various issues pertaining to the State with him, Yediyurappa said that he had also met various Central ministers in Delhi seeking approval for many of the long-pending issues.
"The Prime Minister and all other Central ministers have positively responded to the demands for the developmental projects from the State. My Delhi visit has been highly successful and fruitful," he said.
The Chief Minister called on Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday morning and held a wide-ranging discussions with him.
With six vacancies in his Cabinet, the Chief Minister is believed to be keen on going in for a limited expansion of the ministry with the induction of M T B Nagaraj, R Shankar and H Vishwanth, MLCs, for their help in enabling the formation of the BJP government in the State after resigning their assembly membership from Congress and JD(S) to bring down the coalition regime led by H D Kumaraswamy. The Chief Minister is said to be keen on inducting senior BJP leader Aravind Limbavali and keep two slots vacant.
A clear indication on whether the Yediyurappa ministry’s expansion will actually take place or not will be known by evening or late tonight.