Karnataka Cabinet expanded

Bangalore, Jan 25 (UNI) Karnataka Cabinet was expanded today with the induction of five legislators of the Janata Dal (Secular) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) into the coalition government.

Governor T N Chaturvedi administered oath of secrecy to Mr G T Devegowda, Mahadeva Prasad and R Srinivas (all JD-S), S Shivanna and Appasaheb Mallappa Pattanshetty (all BJP) at a simple ceremony held at Raj Bhavan here.

This was the third time Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy effected the expansion of his ministry after assuming power on February 3, 2006 when he himself and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa were sworn in.

The Ministry was first expanded on February 17 with the induction of 20 legislators--BJP 11 and JD-S nine.

The Ministry was expanded the second time on June 21,2006 to accommodate senior leaders, including M P Prakash and Chief Minister's brother H D Revanna and two others from JD-S and four from the BJP.

With today's expansion, the size of the ministry has risen to 34 with both coalition partners having equal share.

UNI