Karnataka: New faces likely to get priority in Ministerial expansion
As talks on the expansion of the D.K. Shivakumar-led Cabinet enter the final stages in Delhi, indications are that priority may be given to new
As talks on the expansion of the D.K. Shivakumar-led Cabinet enter the final stages in Delhi, indications are that priority may be given to new faces this time. According to sources in the ruling Congress, party leader Rahul Gandhi is keen on inducting fresh faces into the Ministry. “Mr. Gandhi wants fresh faces who can bring about visible changes in their departments during the remaining two years and earn the goodwill of the people ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections,” a Congress leader said. They pointed out that all the Ministers, barring Yathindra Siddaramaiah, who were sworn in during the first phase on June 3 this year, had previously served as Ministers.
There is also a possibility of a few Ministers from the erstwhile Siddaramaiah-led government getting another opportunity this time, either in recognition of their work or to maintain community and regional representation. Shivakumar, his predecessor Mr. Siddaramaiah, and KPCC president B.K. Hariprasad, who are in Delhi, are expected to hold consultations with AICC general secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala on the Cabinet expansion before approaching AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Mr. Gandhi for approval of the list. Presently, the Ministry has 14 members including the Chief Minister and the total size can go up to 34.
Though the Chief Minister and the party high command are said to be keen on having a full-fledged Ministry, given that less than two years remain for the next Assembly elections, the possibility of two berths remaining vacant cannot be ruled out because of the complexities involved in balancing caste and regional representation. Governor out of station Initially, the Congress top leaders were keen to schedule the swearing-in ceremony of new Ministers either on Wednesday or Thursday. However, it is learnt that Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who has to administer the oath to the new Ministers, will be away from Bengaluru for two days due to a predecided programme.
Confirming the governor’s travel programme, sources in the Raj Bhavan said, “The governor will leave Bengaluru on Tuesday evening and will return by Thursday evening.” Congress sources say the swearing-in ceremony could be held either on Thursday or Friday. Before leaving for Delhi on Monday, Mr. Shivakumar told mediapersons that the Ministerial expansion exercise would be completed this week. Meanwhile, more than two dozen aspirants are camping in Delhi to lobby for Ministerial berths.
The BriefWire