Bengaluru: Siddaramaiah, who is in New Delhi to take part in a joint conference of chief ministers and chief justices of high courts, told reporters he would meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi to seek permission for a reshuffle or expansion.

Sources indicate that the CM was trying to get a one on one meeting with the Congress chief, but has yet to get an appointment. It appears that the High command was unhappy with the way the Karnataka Govt. handled the DK Ravi Case. However the meeting is likely to take place on Monday sources said. A leader said confidentially that the CM does not have much hope of any early decision on the matter as Rahul is away on leave.

Siddaramaiah also seems to be in a rush for a reshuffle/expansion as the government is keen on reviving the party’s image ahead of BBMP and panchayat elections.

Another prickly issue is the KPCC president G Parameshwara who is purportedly playing the dalit card to win the post of CM or deputy CM. Apparently, Siddaramaiah is willing to give him a ministerial berth with a portfolio of his choice only to ensure dalits don’t spoil the party’s prospects in the panchayat elections due in May.

The CM also has a wish list of ministers he wants to drop for non performance and those he wants to include for balance and performance.Among the names doing the rounds for inclusion in the Siddaramaiah cabinet are that of Ramesh Kumar, Basavaraj Rayaraddi, K B Koliwad.

A dozen senior MLAs are camping in Delhi to lobby for berths.