The Congress Government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday expanded the Karnataka Cabinet by inducting 19 legislators, even as the exercise resulted widespread protests and discontent within the ruling party. The expansion included eight first time ministers, while six members from former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Cabinet retained ministerial berths. Despite plans to fill all 34 positions, the Government left one Cabinet berth vacant following last minute changes.
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Cabinet Composition Reflected Last-Minute Adjustments
The final list underwent revisions just hours before the swearing in ceremony. A.V. Gayatri Shanthegowda, whose name initially figured in the list, was eventually left out. The newly constituted Cabinet also drew attention for having no women ministers. Along with the Cabinet expansion, the Congress announced its nominees for the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council.
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Nagendra Returned, Discontent Grew Within Congress
Former minister B. Nagendra, who had resigned from Siddaramaiah’s Cabinet after his name surfaced in the alleged multi-crore Valmiki Development Corporation financial scam and was later arrested, returned to the Council of Ministers. The move, coupled with the exclusion of several senior legislators, intensified dissatisfaction within the party. Indi MLA Yashwanthrayagouda Patil resigned from the Assembly, while Sagar Belur MLA Gopalakrishna announced his decision to step down. Several legislators publicly expressed disappointment over being left out.
Leadership Differences Came Into Focus
Supporters of disappointed legislators staged protests in Bengaluru and several constituencies, burning tyres and raising slogans against the Congress leadership. Political observers said the last-minute revisions reflected differences between Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the party’s central leadership. Siddaramaiah’s absence from the swearing-in ceremony further fuelled speculation over internal differences, although Shivakumar appealed to legislators to remain patient, saying future opportunities would be created.
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