Overburdened DVS to expand his team soon

BANGALORE/SHIMOGA: Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda has decided to off-load his burden by expanding his six-month-old Cabinet anytime after February 20. There are 11 vacancies in the ministry and the Chief Minister is expected to fill at least seven berths. At present, Gowda is in charge of as many as 16 portfolios.Gowda told reporters here on Thursday that he had decided to expand his Cabinet before the start of the Budget session next month.“For various reasons, I have been handling too many portfolios. Now, I have decided to reduce my burden by expanding my Cabinet. Soon, I will hold talks with the party bosses in this regard,” the CM said.Asked about the choice of the candidates, the Chief Minister said equal priority would be given to seniors as well as young faces.Unlike in the past when ministers were selected on the basis of their affiliation to various groups in the state BJP, this time, the expansion is expected to take place purely on the basis of caste and regional representation.Meanwhile, state BJP president K S Eshwarappa told reporters in Shimoga that the Cabinet expansion will take place within a week. This apart, the appointments to the various boards and corporations will also be made, he added.He also hinted at reshuffling certain portfolios and district in-charge ministers. “Seniority, region and caste will be taken into consideration during the expansion,” he added.