Karnataka CM meets Kharge amid rejig talks

Amid talks of a reshuffle in the Karnataka government, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence here on Monday evening. While Congress leaders called it a courtesy meeting, sources said Siddaramaiah is learnt to have discussed Cabinet expansion in the state with Kharge. For some time now, there have been talks in the state’s political circles, especially within the ruling Congress, about changing the chief minister, citing a “power-sharing” agreement involving Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president. However, Shivakumar has rubbished talks of his resignation as the state Congress chief, saying he remains a disciplined soldier of the party.