Karnataka CM Bommai says final list on cabinet expected on August 3

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday, August 2, told the media in Delhi, that a detailed discussion was held with BJP President JP Nadda on the expansion of his cabinet and the final list is expected on Tuesday, August 3. The newly sworn-in CM said that once the list was finalised, the day of the oath-taking ceremony will be decided after consulting Karnataka BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel. The new cabinet will be selected balancing all factors, including regional and social representation. Those who joined the BJP after leaving other parties need not worry, Bommai said. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Kateel also attended the meeting.

"We had a detailed discussion with JP Nadda. We are expecting the final list on Tuesday (August 3) evening. We will get to know the number of new ministers and their names tomorrow," said Bommai, who flew to Delhi on August 1 to discuss cabinet expansion with BJP top leaders. He said that one of the two-three lists prepared were shown to the BJP chief for consideration. Bommai said Nadda will take another look at the list before finalising. Since Parliament is in session, the party central leadership may take a call in the evening or night, he added.

Answering a question of whether ministers who left other parties to join BJP will be inducted, the CM said that they are party members and the top leaders will take a decision on the same. He said that everyone will be taken care of. The BJP central leadership will have another round of discussion within themselves before releasing the final list, Bommai said.

The Chief Minister noted that details of the ground situation and concerns were expressed by the top leaders during the discussion. We want to give a proactive and credible cabinet, Bommai said.

Earlier in the day, Bommai said the expansion will be done in a balanced way keeping in mind the previous team. He also said that cabinet formation, including whether it should be done in several stages or one go, would be discussed with Nadda. Even balancing of regional and social representation will be kept in mind while deciding names, he said. "Based on these factors, the numbers and names will be decided. Even how many Deputy CMs should be made will also be decided," Bommai had said.

Bommai said that in the current political situation, efforts will be made to take everyone together.  He noted that some aspirants have met him here and held discussions; they are aware not everyone can be ministers, he said.

During the day, the Chief Minister also met BJP National General Secretary BL Santosh and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. However, Bommai's meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah could not take place. Sources informed that one round of discussion on cabinet expansion between Bommai and senior party leaders took place on August 1 night.

Bommai took oath as the Chief Minister on July 28 after the resignation of his predecessor BS Yediyurappa on July 26. He is the lone cabinet member in the government.

Meanwhile, in Karnataka, senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took a dig at the BJP government, saying the new CM was running around for cabinet expansion instead of focusing on COVID-19. "Thousands have died in the absence of adequate hospitals, beds, ventilators and oxygen. It must be prevented from recurring but Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is running around for cabinet expansion instead of focusing on COVID-19," Siddaramaiah told reporters in Karwar, the headquarters town of Uttara Kannada district.