Bangalore: After the victories in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Council bypolls, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has firmed up his position in the Congress and may not expand the Cabinet till the year-end.
Nor is he likely to induct former Congress minister D.K. Shivakumar into the cabinet as it would make the latter a hero and transform him into a rallying point for disgruntled elements in the party.
Shivakumar, after the victory of his brother D.K. Suresh in the Bangalore Rural parliamentary bypoll, has been pressing for a cabinet berth. But Siddaramaiah has reportedly obtained the green signal from the leadership to defer the cabinet expansion till November or December.
According to sources, the CM has told central leaders there was no need to expand the cabinet in a hurry as it would give an impression that the party has given in to the demand of Shivakumar for ensuring the victory of his brother against JD(S) supremo, H.D. Deve Gowdas daughter-in-law, Anitha Kumaraswamy.