Bangalore: Refusing to indicate any timeframe for expanding his six-month-old ministry, the delay of which has caused resentment among Congress and JDS (Janata Dal-Secular) MLAs, Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh today (Nov 23, 2004) said, he would undertake the exercise by this month end "definitely".

He however refused to indicate any date while talking to reporters in Bangalore.

Singh said he was planning to visit New Delhi in about two days to hold consultations with Congress president Sonia Gandhi to seek clearance.

Former Prime Minister and JDS president H D Devegowda had talks with Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel yesterday on the issue.

JDS has asked Singh to expand the ministry at an early date.