Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Jan 10: With the state cabinet expansion getting postponed for the past one-and-a-half years, aspirants have been growing restless by the day. The BJP high command has still not given any green signal to chief minister Yediyurappa to get on with the exercise.

On Sunday January 10, the CM left for New Delhi by 8.20 am flight by Vistara airline, accompanied by his son Vijayendra. This has given a ray of hope to the aspirants of ministerial positions. There is a possibility of cabinet expansion before Sankranti itself, if the high command gives the go-ahead.

Yediyurappa is going to meet some union ministers and discuss grants and development of the state with them. There is also a possibility that he will hold discussions with senior leaders of the BJP with regard to cabinet expansion.

MLC R Shankar has said that CM Yediyurappa has promised him a ministerial post. This has sparked speculation that the cabinet will be expanded before Sankranti. Accordingly, Amit Shah himself has called Yediyurappa to Delhi and there is every sign that the state cabinet expansion would finally happen.

Though no meeting has been fixed with BJP national president J P Nadda, CM Yediyurappa might still discuss cabinet expansion issues with him. Earlier, state-in-charge Arun Singh had clarified that the CM has been given the supreme power in the matter of cabinet expansion. Even then, approval of the top brass of the party is needed in this exercise. There is a possibility that a clear picture may emerge by Sunday evening.

Union home minister Amit Shah will visit the state on January 16 and 17. There is hence a possibility that the cabinet expansion may take place even before his visit. According to reliable sources in the party, Yediyurappa is going to request the top leaders of the party to give permission to expand the ministry before Sankranti.