Bangalore: After dithering for six months, the stage is finally set for the expansion of the Congress-JDS (Janata Dal-Secular) coalition ministry headed by Chief Minister Dharam Singh in Karnataka in Bangalore tomorrow (Dec 15, 2004) with the induction of 20 Ministers.

Eleven from JDS and nine from Congress would join the 12-member ministry, Singh told reporters in Bangalore, but refused to indicate the names of probables.

The new ministers would be administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor T N Chaturvedi on the portals of Vidhana Soudha at 9.30 hrs (IST), an auspicious time described as "Amruthagalige" by Singh.

Sources said during his recent Delhi trip, the Chief Minister has managed to secure clearance from the party high command for nine persons to be inducted from the Congress along with portfolios to be allotted to them.

Singh and JDS leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Revenue Minister M P Prakash and Industries Minister, P G R Sindhia would be meeting at an undisclosed place this evening to finalise the list of ministers.

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and JDS chief H D Devegowda, admitted at a separate press conference that there was considerable delay in expanding the ministry, but defended it saying "it was due to compulsions of circumstances".

Ahead of the much talked about expansion exercise, ministerial aspirants have been engaged in hectic lobbying in Congress as well as JDS camps.