Yeddyurappa likely to expand ministry next week

The move is seen as an effort to placate some of the ministerial aspirants, who had earlier threatened to join the ranks of rebels. Sources said the BJP's Core Committee, which met after the state high court upheld disqualification of 11 rebels MLAs, has given the nod to the Chief Minister to undertake the expansion exercise.

The ministry expansion is likely to take place either on November 3 or 5, the sources said. They said Yeddyurappa's plan to keep two berths vacant to check possible dissidence in the aftermath of ministry expansion has been accepted by the party.