Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on 5th April, said that he may meet with the Union Home minister Amit Shah and BJP national president, JP Nadda, in New Delhi during his 2-day visit. If the meeting does happen the possibility of the leaders discussing the much-anticipated cabinet expansion of Bommai’s eight-month-old government is high
“No one has called me and has come here to discuss state projects. I will use this opportunity for a meeting with Amit Shah and JP Nadda, and here there will be some possibility of discussing organisation, party and the government,” the Karnataka CM, said. Bommai added that no time had been given for an appointment as of now, and only when he does sit with the central leadership will there be any discussion on the cabinet expansion topic.
He further acknowledged that several BJP legislators are camping in Delhi, fancying their chances of being inducted into the cabinet, in which there are only four berths remaining vacant out of the total of 34 berths.
“Few legislators have come yesterday. Today some have come, tomorrow also they might come. When the high command sits and deliberates on cabinet expansion, that’s when decisions will be taken,” he said.
The statements come at a time when even BJP legislators are openly expressing their concerns and worries in public over the delay in expanding the cabinet with less than one year to go before the polls.
Several legislators, including MP Renukacharya, Ramesh Jarkiholi, and Basanagouda Patil (Yatnal), among others, are hoping to make the cabinet after being dropped or ignored in previous elections.
Bommai, with this discussion meeting with top leaders is also hoping to put an end to the growing uproar within his party and government over the undue delay in the expansion of the cabinet. Bommai was also accompanied by several cabinet ministers to the national capital, where he met union ministers over issues like Mekedatu,water, upper Krishna, Upper-Bhadra, and other similar-related projects.