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Bengaluru, October 11 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday clarified the position on the state cabinet expansion, saying it is just a rumour.
Interacting with the public during the ‘Bengaluru Walk’ event at the Lalbagh Botanical Garden, he said, “There is no cabinet detail and no authority. Some media houses are publishing baseless news. For any proposal on this, either the chief minister or I will have to give a suggestion. If none of us have proposed it, it is just false news. People speak in a hurry in front of the media. Whatever it is, the high command will take a decision.”
Regarding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s “dinner meeting”, he said, “They will discuss the upcoming municipal, district and taluk panchayat elections. I myself held a meeting of party workers today regarding the Bengaluru civic agency elections.”
When asked about staff and building issues in the municipalities, he said, “All these arrangements will be made. Land for building construction has been identified and it will be completed in two years. By then, arrangements will also be made in rented buildings.”
Responding to the BJP’s criticism regarding the bifurcation of the Bengaluru civic agency, he said, “The BJP does not give priority to the development of Bengaluru; politics is their main concern. They could have put forward their opinions, suggestions and complaints during the BBMP committee meetings. People elected them to power, and they should have become the voice of the citizens. But they did not do that. Instead, they have talked about disbanding it.” BBMP, which is their own concern.”
“If they (BJP) oppose the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), they should boycott the municipal elections. We have extended the tenure of the mayor by two years. Ward committees will have 5,000 members and 369 municipal representatives will be elected, of which 50 per cent will be women,” Shivakumar said.
Asked about Rainbow area in Sarjapur being affected by heavy rains, he said, “We will take information from the authorities and take necessary measures.”
Amid talks of leadership change and possible cabinet reshuffle, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has organized a dinner meeting for ruling Congress MLAs in Bengaluru. Sources confirmed that a dinner meeting ahead of the reshuffle is scheduled for October 13.
Sources close to the Chief Minister said that this reshuffle will take place after the Bihar elections.
Speaking at the Valmiki Jayanti celebrations, Siddaramaiah also assured that a leader from the Valmiki community will be given a ministerial berth during the cabinet reshuffle.
–IANS
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