Bengaluru, July 15 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, is set to travel to New Delhi on Wednesday, with his return journey being kept open-ended, triggering fresh speculation over the much anticipated expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet.

The Chief Minister’s Office stated that D.K. Shivakumar will depart from Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru at 2 p.m. on Wednesday and is expected to arrive in New Delhi at 4:45 p.m. He is scheduled to meet Union Ministers and will stay at Karnataka Bhavan during his visit.

The Chief Minister’s visit has rekindled hopes among ministerial aspirants, with as many as 20 Cabinet berths lying vacant. At present, the state government is functioning with only 14 members, including the Chief Minister.

According to party insiders, the Cabinet expansion has gained momentum following the return of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from his foreign visit. Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is also likely to travel to Delhi on July 18, a development that party sources say could signal that the exercise has been finalized by the Congress high command.

Sources indicated that Siddaramaiah has already submitted a list of names for consideration, while KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad is also expected to be accommodated in the Cabinet if the high command gives its approval.

The expansion assumes significance in the backdrop of a series of upcoming local body elections in Karnataka, with the Congress keen to strengthen its political and regional representation ahead of the polls.

More than 45 senior Congress leaders are reportedly in the race for ministerial positions, leading to intense lobbying in both Bengaluru and New Delhi over the past several days.

Party sources said the Cabinet expansion could take place before July 20, with consultations between the state leadership and the Congress high command expected to conclude in the coming days.

The process, which has remained pending for over 40 days since Shivakumar assumed office, is likely to be finalized after discussions involving Rahul Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge.

With the Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Legislature expected to begin in the first week of August, pressure is mounting on the Congress leadership to complete the Cabinet expansion before the Assembly convenes.

–IANS

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