Date:15/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/15/stories/2006121517320500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Cabinet expansion likely in two weeks

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The coordination committee meeting of the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here on Thursday night decided to go ahead with the Cabinet expansion by the end of the month.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Home Minister M.P. Prakash told presspersons after the meeting that four members would be inducted into the Cabinet with two each from the BJP and the JD(S) taking the size of the ministry to 34. There would be no reshuffle of ministers, they said.

The two parties decided against an electoral understanding for the elections to local bodies at the State level. It would be left to the district leadership of the respective parties to decide on the issue.

The JD(S) and the BJP have arrived at an understanding on sharing the posts of chairmanship for various government boards and corporations and these appointments would be completed before the end of the month.