Karnataka ministry expansion likely next week

At a meeting convened by Gowda to end the stalemate,attended by state unit President K S Eswarappa, rebel group leader Jagadish Shettar,former Chief Minister Yeddyurappa's loyalists Dr V S Acharya and Shobha Karandlaje agreed to finalise names of those to be inducted into the ministry.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Eswarappa said "a full fledged ministry will be in place in a couple of days next week". He said discussions were on over creating a Deputy Chief Minister's post, but a final decision on those to be inducted and also on the Deputy Chief Ministership would be taken tomorrow.

Party sources indicated the new ministers might be sworn-in next Monday or Wednesday. Gowda held the meeting under the directive of the party high command,which wanted state leaders to put their heads together and resolve the ministry making crisis in the backdrop of the rebel group led by Shettar demanding major share of ministerial berths and plum portfolios.

Sources close to Shettar said the Lingayat leader from North Karnataka, who lost to Gowda in the race for Chief Minister's post, is likely to accept the Deputy Chief Minister's berth, in the event of the party creating the post.

"There is no confusion in the party. There is no groupism. We are all united. There is only on group (BJP). We will resolve all issues. There is no need for High Command intervention", Eswarappa said after the meeting at "Anugraha", the Chief Minister's official residence.