HDK urges Rahul to decide on Cabinet expansion

With the coalition government completing 100 days, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday met Congress president Rahul Gandhi and urged him to decide on expanding the state Cabinet.

"I have requested the Congress president to take a decision on the expansion of the Cabinet and appointments to boards and corporations," Kumaraswamy told reporters here after a brief meeting with Rahul.

Kumaraswamy's discussions with Rahul came on the eve of the JD(S)-Congress Coordination Committee meeting convened to iron out the irritants in the alliance that has cropped up after former chief minister Siddaramaiah's remarks about returning as chief minister.

"The coalition government is secure under the leadership of Siddaramaiah," the chief minister said. He said Rahul was happy at the functioning of the coalition government. "Our government is stable and functioning smoothly," Kumaraswamy said.

The chief minister said he did not complain to Rahul about Siddaramaiah expressing his desire to return to power.

"Anybody can aspire to be chief minister. Even R V Deshpande can aspire to become chief minister," he said referring to the senior Congress leader who was with him.

Kumaraswamy said Siddaramaiah has already clarified that he would become chief minister after the next election if the people desire.