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The process of Karnataka cabinet expansion is expected to gain momentum after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi returns from his foreign tour. Several political meetings held in Bengaluru and New Delhi have indicated that the party high command may take a final decision in the coming days.

Even after more than 40 days have passed since Chief Minister DK Shivakumar took charge, the cabinet has only 13 ministers, and it is still incomplete. Although the Congress leadership has not announced any timeline, party sources have indicated that discussions are likely to accelerate after Rahul Gandhi returns to India.

AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge is currently in Bengaluru and is expected to return to New Delhi soon. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is also likely to visit Delhi this week to hold discussions with the Congress high command.

According to sources, the much-awaited expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet is likely to take place by July 17. Several high-level meetings held in Bengaluru and New Delhi indicate that the Congress high command is close to taking a final decision.

AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to return to New Delhi on Tuesday. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is also expected to return on Tuesday (July 14) or by the end of this week. Chief Minister Shivkumar is expected to visit Delhi this week, where the cabinet expansion can be finalized after consulting Rahul Gandhi and Kharge.

On Monday, several Congress MLAs met Shivakumar at his official residence Krishna in Bengaluru, where the upcoming cabinet expansion was discussed. Sources said both Shivakumar and KPCC president BK Hariprasad are waiting for the final approval from the high command before announcing the new ministers.

In the last few days, lobbying for the post of minister has intensified. Many ministerial aspirants have met AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge at his Delhi-based residence and presented their claims.