Bommai to Speak with BJP High Command About Cabinet Expansion and Election Preparations

GG News Bureau

Belagavi, 26th Dec. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Monday that he will travel to New Delhi later in the day to discuss cabinet expansion and preparations for the 2023 Assembly elections with the BJP’s national leadership.

He did not rule out a cabinet reshuffle, saying that everything would be known after the meeting.

“I’m going to Delhi today afternoon, the last time when I had gone to Delhi certain discussions were incomplete, today the meeting has been scheduled. Our (BJP) national President (J P Nadda) has called this meeting, all our senior leaders will be participating in that meeting, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah,” Bommai said.

He told reporters here that several issues, ranging from election preparations to cabinet expansion, would be discussed.

In response to a question about whether there will be a cabinet expansion or reshuffle, the Chief Minister stated that those details would be revealed only after the discussions.

During his visit, he plans to meet with certain central Ministers about state-related projects and hopes to meet with the Union Water Resources Minister.

Bommai previously stated that the cabinet formation is likely following the Gujarat Assembly elections.

For some time now, the Chief Minister has been under intense pressure to expand and restructure the Cabinet in order to make room for new faces ahead of the Assembly elections in April-May next year.

There have been reports of a possible cabinet expansion by filling six vacant positions or a reshuffle by dropping a few and bringing in an equal number of new faces.

Some speculated that a Gujarat-style complete top to bottom overhaul of the state ministry might take place. Many candidates believe it is “too late now,” with the election just around the corner.

It is also expected that the Chief Minister will meet with the party leadership to discuss reservation issues in the state.

Bommai must first ensure that his government’s decision to increase the SC/ST quota, which has increased total reservation in Karnataka to 56%, exceeding the 50% cap, is legally protected by bringing it under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

Furthermore, Panchamasali Lingayats are increasing pressure on him to move them from Category 3B to Category 2A of the OBC reservation matrix. Then there is pressure to implement internal SC/ST quotas.

Furthermore, Vokkaligas are putting pressure on Bommai to increase their quota from 4% to 12%.