Decision on ministerial representation for women to be discussed in Delhi

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday said that discussions regarding filling the remaining two Cabinet berths would be held during his visit to Delhi. “The issue of accommodating a woman in the Cabinet will be discussed in Delhi,” he told presspersons here.

The Chief Minister is headed to Delhi to take part in the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday to discuss the issue of the Election Commission of India and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision exercise across the country. A meeting of Opposition leaders has also been convened to discuss the same, Mr. Shivakumar said.

Sources said party leaders in the State have not yet arrived at a consensus on who the woman legislator to be taken into the Cabinet will be, while some names are doing the rounds. “Unless leaders come to a consensus, the Cabinet expansion would not be possible,” sources said.

When asked about the appointment of chairpersons to boards and corporations, he said a decision had already been taken in Delhi. “Senior legislators would be accommodated, and party workers would be appointed later,” he said.

Incidentally, Congress General Secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala held discussions with the Chief Minister and prospective legislators last week before finalising the names.