The much-awaited cabinet expansion in Karnataka will take place on January 13, said Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. The Chief Minister further said that seven new members may be inducted into the Cabinet. The final decision on this matter will probably be taken later, he added. This comes after Yediyurappa met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the latter's residence in Delhi to discuss the political situation in Karnataka. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda and the party's in-charge for Karnataka Arun Singh were also present at the meeting. The chief minister had earlier suggested some names and expressed confidence that the central BJP leadership will respond positively. Apart from the cabinet expansion, the chief minister also held discussions on the upcoming by-polls in the state for one parliamentary and two Assembly seats.
AIADMK endorses Palaniswami, snubs BJP again
With state elections just months away, the general council of the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu empowered party coordinator and Deputy CM O Panneerselvam, and joint coordinator and Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami, to decide on the poll alliances and strategy. In what is seen as yet another terse message to the BJP, which endorsed the chief ministerial candidature of EPS - were silent on the continuation of alliance recently announced by both the leaders at a government function attended by BJP leader Amit Shah. Rifts are apparent as the BJP has also not given a confirmation amid indications of demands of power-sharing in the state. AIADMK MP and senior leader Munusamy, who had last month made it clear his party won't play a second fiddle, reiterated saying: "National parties don't matter in Tamil Nadu".
