Congress to finalise Karnataka Cabinet expansion amid fierce race for 20 berths
The long-awaited expansion of the Karnataka cabinet is likely to take place on Wednesday, with the Congress high command expected to take a final decision
The long-awaited expansion of the Karnataka cabinet is likely to take place on Wednesday, with the Congress high command expected to take a final decision after a crucial round of consultations in New Delhi. According to party sources, the final meeting will be held between Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah before the list of new ministers is approved. Read Full Story The Karnataka cabinet currently has 20 vacant ministerial berths, giving the Congress leadership room to induct a large number of legislators.
However, the exercise is expected to be politically complex, with around 50 to 60 MLAs actively vying for ministerial positions. Sources said both Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar have already submitted their respective preference lists to the Congress high command. The central leadership is now expected to reconcile the recommendations and arrive at a consensus that balances competing interests, ensures political stability and strengthens the state government. The selection of ministers is expected to be based on multiple factors. The Congress leadership is keen to maintain regional balance by ensuring representation from all parts of Karnataka. Caste equations are also expected to play a key role, with efforts being made to provide adequate representation to major communities as well as socially disadvantaged groups.
The leadership is also likely to focus on maintaining an age balance by combining experienced legislators with younger faces. In addition, gender representation is expected to be a key consideration, with the party looking to increase the participation of women in the cabinet. Significantly, the Congress is also considering inducting a few first-time MLAs into the ministry. The move is being viewed as an effort to reward promising legislators who performed well in the Assembly elections and to encourage a new generation of political leadership within the party. While several senior legislators remain hopeful of securing cabinet berths, party sources acknowledged that not all aspirants can be accommodated, making the final list a delicate balancing exercise for the Congress high command.
Shivakumar has already arrived in New Delhi for the final round of consultations ahead of the expected cabinet expansion. If the expansion goes ahead as scheduled on Wednesday, it will be one of the most significant political exercises undertaken by the Karnataka government since assuming office, with the reshuffle expected to strengthen governance while addressing internal party expectations. Ends
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