HD Kumaraswamy meets Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, urges Congress president to give nod for Karnataka cabinet expansion

New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday met Congress president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi and urged him to take early decision on cabinet expansion of the coalition government. The chief minister also said that the JD(S)-Congress coalition government is secure under the leadership of senior Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah. In a brief meeting with the Gandhi at his residence, Kumaraswamy also apprised him about the 100-day performance of the coalition government. “In the meeting, I have requested Congress president to take early decision on expansion of the cabinet and appointment of corporation boards chairman,” Kumaraswamy told reporters after the meeting. [caption id=“attachment_5078001” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Congress president Rahul Gandhi with Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy. ANI[/caption] At present, the cabinet comprises 16 Congress and 10 JD(S) members, including chief minister and deputy chief minister, and as per rule four more can be added, one from JD(S) and three from Congress. Kumaraswamy’s discussions with Gandhi also comes on the eve of the JD(S)-Congress Coordination Committee meeting scheduled on Friday to iron out differences in the alliance that has arisen after Siddaramaiah’s remarks about becoming the state chief minister. Asked about the remarks, he said: “He (Siddaramaiah) is a leader. If he expresses desire to become chief minister, what’s wrong in that.” “The coalition government is secure under the leadership of Siddarmaiah. Siddaramaiah is necessary for the coalition government to run safety,” Kumaraswamy said. Siddarmaiah has also given clarification that he would become the chief minister if people desire in the next election, Kumaraswamy said. “Despande (senior Congress leader) too may have desire to become chief minister. There is no no need to interpret and understand it in a different way,” he added. RV Despande is a Revenue Minister in the coalition government in Karnataka. Asserting that the coalition government was successful in completing 100 days in the state, the chief minister said: “People in the state have various expectations. My first goal is to fulfill their expectations in the coming days.” He also added that the 100 days of honeymoon period is over and the government will start implementing the blue print in the coming days. The chief minister further said that the government was successful in taking officers into confidence. They have to work considering the wave length of the coalition government, he added. He stressed that the government has already announced farm loan waiver and given certain directions to officials to implement the budget proposals. Kumaraswamy is also scheduled to meet the President Ram Nath Kovind and Home Minister Rajnath Singh to submit proposal seeking relief to flood hit Kodagu in the state.