Bangalore: The Congress in Karnataka is worried over the delay in expansion of the Cabinet of the Congress-JDS (Janata Dal-Secular) coalition Government, Karnataka Pradesh Congress president B Janardhana Poojary said today (Nov 13, 2004) and categorically told the coalition partner it cannot dictate terms regarding Congress ministerial nominees in the proposed exercise.

"I am worried, no doubt," Poojary told reporters in Bangalore.

"Delay is not correct, I accept. I am also appealing for expansion of the Ministry as early as possible."

He said he has also told the Chief Minister N Dharam Singh to undertake the exercise as early as possible "in the interest of the State."

On reported opposition in the JD-S regarding some Congress MLAs from becoming Ministers, Poojary asserted that JD-S cannot dictate terms to the Congress on this front. "JDS has no right to give such suggestions. We are very clear about it; we will not succumb to any pressure."

From the Congress side, "who will and who will not" become Ministers would be entirely decided by AICC (All India Congress Committee) president Sonia Gandhi, he said.

"It seems (JD-S president) H D Devegowda is happy that the Cabinet is not being expanded", Poojary said, laughing.

"Only Devegowda is a scholar; we are all non-scholars."

On a serious note, he blamed the delay to pulls and pressures as well as constraints of a coalition Government.

"What to do?" he asked. "No body wants another election. No MLA wants another election".

Regarding the JDS's reported position that agreement on composition of the Ministry had been reached in the presence of Sonia Gandhi when the Government was formed, Poojary said in that case, the JDS should reveal what the deal is all about.

Referring to the statement of former Minister D K Shivakumar (Congress) demanding that PWD Minister and Devegowda's son H D Revanna offer public apology for remarks relating to former Chief Minister S M Krishna and Infosys CEO Nandan M Nilekani, Poojary said he would find out the details and then react.

On his being sidelined by Dharam Singh and Devegowda in matters of Cabinet expansion, he said nobody can sideline him, except Sonia Gandhi.

Meanwhile, the KPCC president condemned VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) leader Praveen Togadia's statement alleging that the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government as well as the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh Government had a role in the arrest of the Kanchi Seer.

"Congress and UPA have nothing to do with the arrest. It's very clear that Tamil Nadu police arrested him after Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa gave her sanction," he added.

"It has become a habit for RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), Sangh Parivar and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) to take the name of Sonia Gandhi for each and everything."

As a criminal lawyer, he said he believes Jayalalithaaa has "done the right thing".