Kumaraswamy ministry expansion before legislature winter session: KPCC Chief Dinesh Gundu Rao
Bengaluru, Nov 29: The H D Kumaraswamy-led JDS-Congress ministry in Karnataka would be expanded before the winter session of the state legislature commencing on December 10, state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao said Thursday.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the Congress and the JDS would decide on their respective nominees to the six-month old cabinet, whose expansion was expected last month itself.
"I had said cabinet expansion will be done before the assembly session. Session begins on 10th (December), before that cabinet expansion will happen we will do it," Rao said.
His statement came amid speculation that the expansion was likely to be delayed further.
Recent comments by Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G Parameshwar and former chief minister Siddaramaiah that they were waiting for appointment to meet Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who is busy with elections in five states, to discuss about the expansion had triggered the speculation.
There is growing clamour from legislators, especially of Congress, for the expansion at the earliest.
According to the pact reached between the two partners at the time of formation of the coalition government in May, there are now six vacant ministerial positions left for the Congress and two for the JD(S).
This will be the second expansion of Kumaraswamy's ministry, who currently heads the 26-member cabinet.
Meanwhile, several Congress leaders from Hassan District, reportedly upset over the style of functioning of Kumaraswamy's Brother and District in-charge Minister H D Revanna, Thursday met senior leaders including KPCC chief Rao and Siddaramaiah here, requesting them to "save" the party in the district.
"We have been fighting against JD(S) and Revanna (Minister) over years, we remained silent (on joining hands) obeying high command's orders... now we are being targeted.
Their intention is to suppress Congress for their survival in Hassan," Congress leader Putte Gowda told reporters.
According to sources, the leaders have petitioned the Congress leadership against Revanna.
However, Rao said, they had come to explain about the party and political situation in the district and not to complain against any one.
"They had come with issues relating to party workers and seeking more representation for them in any government related nominations," he added.
Revanna, on his part, said, "let Siddaramaiah or Parameshwara speak to me if there are such issues. I don't do hate politics, there is no such thing."
Hassan, the home town of H D Deve Gowda and his sons Kumaraswamy and Revanna, is a JD(S) strong hold and Congress had been fighting the party bitterly over the years.
Both parties joined hands to form government in the state after the May 12 assembly polls threw up a hung verdict.
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PM Modi arrives in Ethiopia on second leg of three-nation tour
Addis Ababa (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday on the second leg of his three-nation tour, aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali received PM Modi at the Addis Ababa International Airport. In a unique gesture, he also drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
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"Celebrating age-old India-Ethiopia ties! Prime Minister @narendramodi arrives in Addis Ababa on his maiden bilateral visit to Ethiopia. In a special gesture, PM @AbiyAhmedAli came to personally receive him at the airport. Prime Minister was accorded a warm and colourful welcome," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on social media.
"Ethiopia is a key partner for India in the Global South and a fellow BRICS Member," he added.
Modi will be holding wide-ranging discussions with his counterpart on all aspects of India–Ethiopia bilateral ties.
“As partners in the Global South, the visit will be a reiteration of the shared commitment of the two nations to advance close ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation,” a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said before his departure from India.
In his first visit to Ethiopia, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
He will also meet the Indian diaspora during the two-day visit.
Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
