Shettar seeks BJP leadership's guidance on Cabinet expansion

New Delhi: Faced with rebellion in the party's state unit on the issue of portfolio distribution, Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Saturday met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari and other central leaders to seek guidance on Cabinet expansion.

Accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister R Ashok, Shettar also met senior BJP leaders including L K Advani, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj at Gadkari's residence in New Delhi.

BJP's Karnataka state in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan were present in the meeting.

Shettar met senior BJP leaders including L K Advani, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj at Gadkari\'s residence in New Delhi.

"There are no differences...no problem. Regarding the portfolio... we are united. We will announce all the portfolios as early as possible," Shettar told reporters after the meeting.

His meetings with the senior leaders also came after 12 disgruntled legislators, who failed to get ministerial berths, met under the leadership of former minister and mining magnate Karunakara Reddy in New Delhi.

The issue escalated further with two MLAs S Angara, representing Sullia assembly segment, and Halady Srinivasa Shetty from Kundapur assembly constituency announced their decision to quit over the issue.

Sources said there are differences between Shettar and Ashok over portfolio.

Shettar, who took over along with two Deputy Chief Ministers, Ashok and K S Easwarappa, has included 21 Ministers from the previous Sadananda Gowda government in his Cabinet.

The Ministry with 12 new Ministers has 34 members, including the Chief Minister.

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