Amid frenetic efforts by former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to return to power, his successor and chief minister D.V. Sadananada Gowda is likely to expand his Cabinet soon after the bypoll to the Legislative Council on Thursday.
Sources in the party said the process of expansion would take some time with a clear picture likely after January 15 when the inauspicious month, Shoonya Maasa, ends. The leader, however, seems inclined to fill six of the seven vacancies this time, and has initiated discussions with state unit president K.S.Eshwarappa, organising secretary Santhosh and party secretary in-charge of the state, Dharmendra Pradhan.
The sources said Mr Pradhan suggested that the state leadership first concentrate on council elections and then add new ministers to the cabinet. The chief minister was relieved following the exit of former health minister B. Sreeramulu from the party as that would leave him without the burden of accommodating either the Reddy brothers or his lieutenant.
With only 16 months left for 2013 the next Assembly elections, the party has decided in -principle to give representation to all districts in the Cabinet. Therefore, during the next round of expansion, the BJP would give representation to Bellary, Tumkur, Bidar, Chikmagalur and Bijapur districts, the sources said
Meanwhile, the names of six to eight aspirants are doing rounds in party circles. They include Sringeri legislator D.N. Jeevaraja, Chikmagalur MLA and party general secretary C.T.Ravi, and Basavakalyan MLA Basavaraj Patil.