Bengaluru: In a big shocker to the ministerial aspirants, former prime minister and JDS national president HD Devegowda made it clear that cabinet expansion will be carried out only after the Ramanagar and Jamakhandi byelections.

According to the close associates of Gowda who was present when he met AICC Karnataka in-charge KC Venugopal in New Delhi, both the leaders discussed about the cabinet expansion and other issues haunting the cabinet. “In the meeting, Gowda advised Venugopal to postpone the expansion drive till the by-election and he agreed,” said sources.

“At the meeting, the leaders also discussed about BSP chief Mayawati’s decision to go alone in Rajasthan and MP assembly elections. It was decided that BSP minister will continue in Karnataka as her decision has nothing to do with the state,” added sources.