Karnataka Cabinet Expansion To Take Place Next Week: CM Bommai After Meeting With JP Nadda

Bommai said he may visit Delhi again on this issue and sought time from the BJP high command.

New Delhi: Days after taking oath as new Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said the imminent cabinet expansion could take place early next week in the wake of the surge in Covid cases and alarming flood situation in some districts in the state.

Bommai said this during his first visit to the national capital as CM to meet Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda.

During his meeting with Nadda, Bommai explained the necessity of early cabinet expansion. "We will get the nod within next week. I have not discussed the list of probables in today's meeting. But told the need of early decision on this issue," he said while speaking to reporters.

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Bommai said he may visit Delhi again on this issue and sought time from the BJP high command.

According to reports, expanding his cabinet in Karnataka is said to be a challenging task for the new CM as he will have to navigate through the cabinet formation exercise by maintaining a balance between all the factions of the ruling party.

Several old and veteran leaders of BP and legislators who had joined the saffron party after quitting the Congress-JD(S) coalition in 2019 expect a position in the new cabinet. 

Bommai also made it clear that his government will not be a rubber stamp. "No Bommai stamp or rubber stamp, my administration will have only the BJP stamp," he asserted.

Bommai also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Delhi visit and appraised him about Covid and floods situation in Karnataka.

"I discussed vaccination shortage in the state. The prime minister has assured full support," he added.

Apart from the Prime Minister and BJP President, Bommai also met Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, and the Jal Shakti Minister.

Bommai took oath as 17th Chief Minister of Karnataka last week a day after he was elected as the new leader of the BJP legislature party after BS Yediyurappa's resignation.