'Coailition compulsion' denies berths to women: HDK

Bangalore, Jan 25: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today said compulsions of 'coalition politics' had resulted in denial of ministerial berths to women in the JD(S)-BJP coailition ministry which was expanded today.

Talking to newspersons after the swearing in ceremoney in which he inducted five more ministers into his cabinet, he said that political constraints prevented him from giving representation to women. "I am pained to see that a woman was not included in the council of Ministers", he added.

Mr Kumaraswamy, however, said that though women had representation in previous governments, welfare of the women was not taken care of in the state. "This government gives top priority for the welfare and empowrment of the women folk, even if there is no women in my cabinet," he said.

About non-inclusion of members belonging to minority and backward class in the expansion, the Chief Minister retorted saying "that there are no vacancies to accommodate them." He said that the portfolio of the new ministers who were sworn in today would be announced by the evening.

Mr Kumaraswamy said that the process of appointment of Chairman and President to various Boards and Corporation would be completed shortly. BJP had submitted its list and JD-S list would finalise it within two days, he added.

UNI