New Delhi: Amid the buzz of a Cabinet reshuffle in Congress-ruled Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Saturday in Delhi, with party sources indicating that he will meet Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday to seek the final nod.
Siddaramaiah arrived in the national capital on Saturday afternoon and met Rahul Gandhi at 10 Janpath. The meeting between the two leaders lasted for over 20 minutes. Sources said that during the meeting the two leaders discussed several issues related to Karnataka, including a Cabinet reshuffle. Sources added that the Chief Minister got the green signal from the party leadership to carry out the reshuffle, which has been pending for long.
Sources also said that at least 10 to 12 new faces will be inducted in the Karnataka Cabinet under the Kamaraj model, with many senior leaders occupying ministerial posts to be given organisational roles. The date of the reshuffle, which was earlier decided for November, could be later. Another party source said that Siddaramaiah will meet party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and party’s general secretary, organisation, K.C. Venugopal. The date of the reshuffle will be decided in the meeting with Kharge and can be done after the Assembly session in the state.
The reshuffle comes at a time when Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is eyeing the post of Chief Minister under a rotational formula. However, sources had earlier said that Siddaramaiah would continue as Chief Minister.
