No confusion or dispute over cabinet expansion: Kumaraswamy

Bellary, May 10 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today reiterated that there was no confusion or dispute with regard to the proposed Cabinet expansion.

Talking to reporters at the Jindal airstrip, the Chief Minister, who was en route to Raichur to participate in some programmes tomorrow, clarified that the issue relating to MLC Shobha Karandlage might not come in the way of the cabinet expansion as it was a matter concerning the ruling coalition partner BJP. He was confident of the BJP leaders solving the issue.

A section of the BJP was against the inclusion of the name of Ms Karandlage, reportedly backed by Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, in the list of probables for the ministerial berths.

Defending his meetings with his father and Janata Dal (S) President H D Devegowda, he said ''He is one of the most experienced politicians in the country. Meeting such people should not be perceived in any other way,'' he added.

Asked about the coming elections to 11 seats in the Legislative Council, he said the seat sharing would go as per the strength of the respective parties in the House. Accordingly, five to six seats would go to the BJP and three seats to the JD (S).

The seat-sharing would be discussed in detail at the Coordination Committee meeting to be held on May 13 to avoid controversy. The Committee comprised respresentatives from both the BJP and the JD (S).

Lambasting the Congress leaders for stating that he had no experience in running the state, Mr Kumaraswamy said he did not have to take lessons from them.

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