Cabinet rejig only after high command nod: CM

NT Correspondent

Hubballi: The much-awaited state Cabinet expansion will be carried out only after the BJP high command gives its permission, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

“At present, we are engaged in the Legislative Council poll battle and preparations for the Belagavi session of the legislature. As far as Cabinet expansion is concerned, it will be decided in consultation with Delhi leaders”, the CM told reporters at the airport Monday morning.

On the tie-up with the Janata Dal ( Secular) in the Legislative Council polls, Bommai said it was up to JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy to explain his party’s stand on the issue.

On the possibility of restricting occupancy in cinema halls, malls and multiplexes to 50 per cent in the wake of the discovery of the new Omicron variant, he said this would be discussed in the meeting with experts along with all other important issues.

Tracing of primary and secondary contacts of those who have reported positive in Covid clusters is on and measures have been taken for their treatment as well, Bommai said.

The CM refused to comment on KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar’s statement that his refusal to join the BJP made him go to jail in the assets case. “I did not want to comment on his statement.’’