No proposal yet on Karnataka Cabinet under CM-designate Shivakumar: Mallikarjun Kharge
He also stated that decisions regarding ministers, deputy prime ministers and important appointments will be taken only after consultations after the oath ceremony on June 3.
Addressing journalists here, Kharge said that talks on various aspects of the government formation process are continuing, but no official proposal has been submitted to the party leadership so far.
“We will have to see. There has been no proposal (on the appointment of ministers) yet. When the proposal comes, there will be discussions on how many ministers and deputy prime ministers should be appointed, as well as whether important chairs should be filled,” he said.
Kharge said the party will get clarity only after the swearing-in ceremony. “All these issues are being discussed. We will know after June 3. For now, we have to wait,” he said.
Referring to the possibility of expanding the cabinet in phases, he said, “Whether he (CM-designate) will appoint eight or ten ministers, we have not received their proposal. Once it comes, one phase may be completed first, and then after 15 days or a month, another phase may be taken up for the remaining (posts).” When asked if a framework for accommodating candidates had already been prepared, Kharge said discussions were ongoing but no final decision had been conveyed to the party leadership.
“There is an idea that at another stage the remaining members should also be involved. There is such a discussion, but we still do not know exactly what the CM candidate is thinking. Nothing has come to us yet,” he said. On the appointment of a new Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president after Shivakumar’s assumption of office as chief minister, Kharge said the leadership change was a natural process and the party was looking for a suitable successor.
“This is very natural. When the incumbent resigns, someone else will have to come in. We are looking. We have to identify a good person and also think about the right combination,” he said.
Emphasizing that there is a need for a leader who can strengthen the organization before future election challenges, Kharge said that the party is looking for someone who can work collectively and quickly.
“We only have 24 months now, we need a leader who can work very quickly and bring everyone together,” he said.
