As Kumaraswamy Delays Cabinet Expansion Again, Congress Leaders Call it 'Unfair'

Bengaluru: It is no secret that the delay in cabinet expansion in Karnataka has left many aspirants disappointed.

Following Chief Minister Kumaraswamy's announcement that the cabinet expansion has been further postponed to December 22, the Congress leaders have expressed their unhappiness with the decision.

Senior leaders in the Congress and former ministers in the Siddaramaiah government Ramalinga Reddy and MB Patil said that it was unfair and disheartening that the expansion was being delayed, and the seniors leaders not being given berths.

"Apparently the seniors weren't given berths to make way for younger leaders. But it is unfair that there is one rule for us and another rule for them," said Ramalinga Reddy referring to other senior Congress leaders in the cabinet.

"They all are well-deserving. However, all seniors must be given the same consideration," Reddy told News18 Kannada.

Ramalinga Reddy was the home minister in the Siddaramaiah government and has openly expressed his displeasure for the first time since the coalition government was formed.

"It is either the local body elections or Rahul Gandhi's schedule is not available or it is just not a good time," he added pointing out to the number of times the cabinet expansion has been delayed citing various reasons.

Reddy, however, said that he had never lobbied for a berth and would never do so.

"The Cabinet expansion must take place on December 22. If it is further delayed, it will have no value. Without expansion, how would there be good governance," said MB Patil, former Water Resources minister, and an aspirant.

The Congress MLA from Kampli said that the cabinet expansion would take place only post the Lok Sabha elections.

"The Cabinet expansion will not take place on the 22nd of December. The dissent within the party will grow and hence leaders have taken a decision. Expansion will not happen before the general elections," he said.

Former Chief Minister and BJP MLA Jagadish Shettar also spoke along similar lines.

"I will give the prediction to you in writing that the cabinet expansion will not happen on December 22. Congress is unable to keep its legislators together," he said.

(With inputs from Chidananda Patel and Shrinivas Halakatti)