New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddiyurappa who had back-to-back meetings with BJP leadership including party president JP Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday and Friday had said that his high-command gave him a free hand in expanding the Karnataka state cabinet.
After having his meeting Amit Shah inside the parliament, BSY spoke to reporters in Vijay Chowk on Friday evening.
The saffron party leader confirmed that the cabinet expansion will be done in two or three days.
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"I called on BJP chief Nada and Home Minister Amit Shah. We have discussed nearly 25 to 30 minutes about the cabinet expansion. I am very happy that Nadda and Shah left it (cabinet expansion) to my prerogative," he told the media.
BSY reiterated that there will not be any further induction of Deputy Chief Ministers.
"We have no idea to induct any new DCMs," he added.
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When asked about the time duration for cabinet expansion, he said that he has to discuss with his cabinet colleagues in Karnataka.
"I have spoken with the party high-command. Next, I am in a position to speak with my colleagues in Karnataka. The most awaited cabinet expansion will be done shortly," the BJP leader noted.
It is noted the Karnataka's allowed ministers strength is 34 and there are merely 18 ministers in BSY's cabinet.
It is expected 11 out of 13 MLAs who won in the December by-polls will be inducted into the cabinet as Yediyurappa already promised people who help to thrash Congress and JD(S) coalition government will be rewarded.
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Yediyurappa had been anxiously waiting for the party high command's approval to expand his ministry amid intense lobbying by the aspirants.
Opposition parties have been critical of the BJP and Yediyurappa over the delay in the cabinet expansion, alleging he was weak and that his administration had collapsed.