New Delhi: Days after taking oath as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said an imminent cabinet expansion may take place early next week in view of the rise in the number of COVID cases and the alarming flood situation in some districts of the state.
Bommai said this during his first visit to the national capital as chief minister to meet Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda.
During his meeting with Nadda, Bommai explained the need for an early cabinet expansion. Talking to reporters, he said, “We will get the approval within next week. I have not discussed the list of probables in today’s meeting. But called for a quick decision on the issue.”
Read | LAC row: India, China to hold 12th round of Corps Commander level talks on July 31
Bommai said he may visit Delhi again on the issue and sought time from the BJP high command.
According to reports, expanding his cabinet in Karnataka is a challenging task for the new CM as he will have to go through the cabinet formation exercise while maintaining a balance between all the factions of the ruling party.
Several old and veteran BP leaders and MLAs who joined the saffron party after leaving the Congress-JD(S) alliance in 2019 are expected to find a place in the new cabinet.
Bommai also clarified that his government will not be a rubber stamp. “No Bommai stamp or rubber stamp, my administration will have only BJP’s stamp,” he said.
Bommai also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Delhi and apprised him of the COVID and flood situation in Karnataka.
“I discussed the lack of vaccination in the state. The prime minister has assured full support,” he said.
Besides the Prime Minister and the BJP President, Bommai also met Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Jal Shakti Minister.
Bommai took oath as the 17th Chief Minister of Karnataka last week, a day after he was elected as the new leader of the BJP legislature party following the resignation of BS Yediyurappa.
.