Cabinet expansion after consulting poll panel: Ex-CM

Former chief minister Siddaramaiah, also the chairman of coalition coordination committee, on Saturday, said the party leadership would finalise the names of legislators to be inducted into the Cabinet and for appointment to boards and corporations after consulting the State Election Commission as the poll code is in force in view of the elections to urban local bodies.

Speaking to reporters, after attending the Congress Working Committee meeting here, Siddaramaiah said that if the poll code does not come in the way, the Congress would finalise names for ministerships and for the top posts of the boards and corporations, and complete the process in two weeks.

The Congress can fill 6 vacant berths in the Council of Ministers and appoint heads to 20 boards and corporations. Sitting MLAs will be appointed for the boards and corporations, he said.

To a query on whether the Congress would forge an alliance with the JD(S) in the upcoming ULB polls, Siddaramaiah said, “There will not be any understanding between the parties in the elections to ULBs. However, the district units have been told to take a decision on forming an alliance with JD(S) in their respective districts,” he said.

He added, During the Dharam Singh-led Congress-JD(S) coalition government, both the parties fought separately in local bodies elections and there is nothing wrong in it.

Will not contest LS polls

To a specific query, Siddaramaiah said. “Since I have already clarified during last Assembly elections that I will not contest any elections in future, there is no question of contesting LS elections. I have also conveyed to the party top brass about by decision. I am not interested in national politics,” he added.