G Parameshwara To Be Karnataka Deputy CM? Why The Veteran Leader Could Be Top Choice For No. 2
G Parameshwara To Be Karnataka Deputy CM? Why The Veteran Leader Could Be Top Choice For No. 2 Published By, Last Updated: June 03, 2026
G Parameshwara To Be Karnataka Deputy CM? Why The Veteran Leader Could Be Top Choice For No. 2 Published By, Last Updated: June 03, 2026, 07:38 IST Parameshwara remains the longest-serving state Congress chief and has occupied several ministerial positions over the decades. Rapid Read G Parameshwara could be Karnataka Deputy CM (File photo) As DK Shivakumar prepares to take oath as Karnataka’s Chief Minister on Wednesday, the final shape of his Cabinet remains the subject of intense political speculation. While the Congress leadership has not officially announced the full list of ministers who will take oath alongside him, multiple reports suggest that senior Congress leader and current Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara is likely to be appointed Deputy Chief Minister. Read More: D K Shivakumar To Take Oath As Karnataka CM Today; Cabinet Puzzle Remains If confirmed, the decision would be more than a routine Cabinet appointment. It would reflect the Congress leadership’s attempt to balance caste equations, reward seniority, ensure administrative continuity, and maintain unity within the party during a significant leadership transition. Veteran Congressman With Administrative Experience A former Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, Parameshwara remains the longest-serving state Congress chief and has occupied several ministerial positions over the decades. He also previously served as Deputy Chief Minister and was handling the crucial Home portfolio in the Siddaramaiah government.
At a time when a new Chief Minister is taking charge, Congress may prefer an experienced hand in the Deputy CM’s office who understands both governance and party organisation. Parameshwara fits that requirement better than most contenders. The Dalit Representation Factor The strongest political argument in Parameshwara’s favour is social representation. DK Shivakumar belongs to the Vokkaliga community, one of Karnataka’s most influential political groups. With Siddaramaiah, the party’s most prominent AHINDA leader, moving out of the Chief Minister’s office and into a national role within the Congress organisation, the party faces the challenge of retaining its support among Dalit and other marginalised communities. Parameshwara is one of the tallest Dalit faces in Karnataka Congress. Elevating him to the Deputy Chief Minister’s post would allow the party to send a message that Dalit representation remains central to its political strategy despite the leadership change. It would also help reassure sections of the party’s traditional social coalition that power is being shared across communities. Consensus Candidate in a Delicate Transition Cabinet formation following a leadership change is rarely straightforward in Karnataka, where regional, caste and factional interests often intersect. Unlike some leaders who are closely identified with specific factions, Parameshwara is widely regarded as a relatively acceptable figure across various camps within the Congress.
Over the years, he has maintained working relationships with both the Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar camps and has generally avoided becoming the face of internal factional battles. For the Congress high command, which has spent weeks managing the transition from Siddaramaiah to Shivakumar, a consensus figure as Deputy CM could help minimise friction during the formation of the new government. Rewarding Loyalty and Seniority Congress has often used top government positions to recognise long-serving leaders who may not necessarily be in contention for the Chief Minister’s post. Parameshwara has remained a loyal party soldier through multiple electoral cycles, leadership changes and organisational responsibilities. Despite facing political setbacks at various stages of his career, he continued to play key roles in both the party and the government. Making him Deputy Chief Minister would therefore be seen as recognition of both his seniority and his contribution to the Congress organisation over several decades. What It Would Mean Politically If Parameshwara is formally appointed Deputy Chief Minister, the move would underline four key priorities of the Congress leadership: balancing caste representation, rewarding experience, ensuring a smooth transition from Siddaramaiah to Shivakumar, and preventing factional tensions from overshadowing the new government’s start. The final decision is yet to be officially announced.
However, with reports from multiple sources indicating that the Congress leadership has zeroed in on Parameshwara, he appears to be the frontrunner for the number-two position in the new Karnataka government. Whether the party stops at one Deputy Chief Minister or opts for multiple deputies to accommodate different social groups remains to be seen. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Pragati Ratti Pragati is a News Editor at news18.com. Having headed the Business and Viral sections, Pragati now ideates, writes and edits long-form features and articles on national and global affairs. She ensures... Read More First Published: June 03, 2026, 07:38 IST News india G Parameshwara To Be Karnataka Deputy CM? Why The Veteran Leader Could Be Top Choice For No. 2 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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