New Delhi: The much-talked about reshuffle of Karnataka cabinet is expected to be finalised on Saturday after the second round of consultations Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will have with Congress President Sonia Gandhi amid speculation that 8-10 ministers could face the axe.
Amid pulls and pressures for ministerial berths, Siddaramaiah had a meeting with Gandhi on Friday to discuss the issue which he later said remained "inconclusive".
The chief minister has already signalled that the exercise would involve "dropping a few and inducting a few", and yardstick for it would be giving opportunity for new people at a time when the Assembly polls were just two years away.
The exercise is being undertaken to tone up the government after the debacle of Congress in assembly polls in four states especially Assam recently. Karnataka is the only major state with the Congress in power after losing power recently in Kerala and Assam.
"It was a preliminary discussion. The discussion remained inconclusive. Madam has called tomorrow at 10 am to further discuss the issue," Siddaramaiah told reporters after the meeting.
Asked about the number of ministers to be dropped from the cabinet and if appointment of new KPCC President was discussed in the meeting, he merely said, "All issues were discussed. It will be discussed again tomorrow in detail."
Sources said that the chief minister has proposed dropping of at least 8-10 "non-performing" ministers from the cabinet and inducting young legislators and senior Congress leaders in order to balance caste and regional factors.
The faction led by Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge is also impressing upon the leadership that all sections needed to be accommodated so as to keep the party fighting fit in the assembly polls at a time when BJP is becoming aggressive.
The swearing in could take place even on Sunday if the names are finalised on Saturday.
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