Bengaluru, 13 July

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday said he would travel to Delhi once the Congress gives him an appointment, indicating there was no delay from his side regarding the cabinet expansion.

Shivakumar said convening the Assembly remained his immediate priority. He added, “There is no delay from my side. Whenever they give me time, I will go."

Karnataka currently has 14 ministers, including the Chief Minister, while the permissible strength of ministers in Karnataka is 34. According to Congress sources, hectic lobbying is on.

Responding to the Cauvery water issue, he said MLAs from Mandya had met him and that the state would take a decision after a meeting scheduled for 15 July.

“We also have to comply with the directions relating to Tamil Nadu. Accordingly, we will present Karnataka's stand at the meeting on the 15th and take a decision by the evening of the 15th," he said.

On the KPSC chairman's suspension, Shivakumar said the action was taken by the Governor, and the government acted to ensure continuity in the commission's functioning.

Speaking about the proposal relating to the first ‘Aarati’ at Tirupati, Shivakumar said, "I do not want to interfere with the Tirupati guidelines. Whatever guidelines and traditions Tirupati follows should continue. Our only request is that our representatives should get an opportunity to offer the Aarati,"