Cabinet expansion is Chief Minister’s prerogative, says Priyank Kharge
With the number of ministerial berths capped at 15 percent of the strength of the 224-member Karnataka Legislative Assembly, deciding whom to induct and whom to leave out is a challenge for Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, said Minister for Home and IT-BT Priyank Kharge in Kalaburagi on Monday.
Priyank Kharge, the Minister for Home and IT-BT, clarified that the composition of the Cabinet is solely the Chief Minister's decision, not his. Speaking from Kalaburagi on Monday, after inspecting crop damage from the deficient monsoon, Kharge stated, "Deciding who should be in the Cabinet and who should not is the Chief Minister’s prerogative, not mine."
His role is to carry out the responsibilities entrusted to him by the party, he added. When asked about speculation regarding the Chief Minister's recent visit to Delhi, Kharge emphasized that such visits are routine consultations with the party's high command on Cabinet matters. He assured that no specific decisions on the Cabinet were indicated by these consultations.
Regarding the post of Agriculture Minister, Kharge stated that it would be filled shortly. He also highlighted the special responsibility given to district in-charge Ministers to ensure smooth management of the drought situation. Additionally, Kharge addressed the concern of students falling ill at a hostel due to poor-quality food, directing the Deputy Commissioner and the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat to inspect all hostels in the district, aiming for a comprehensive review of food quality, cleanliness, hygiene, and infrastructure.
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