A Cabinet expansion in Karnataka with twists, turns and heartbreak
The Cabinet expansion had its twists and turns on Monday as the initial list released in the morning underwent changes till the swearing-in at Lok
The Cabinet expansion had its twists and turns on Monday as the initial list released in the morning underwent changes till the swearing-in at Lok Bhavan in the evening, causing confusion amid legislators not finding their names in the list. While the first list released in the morning had the names of 20 legislators, by afternoon the party finalised another list — dropping Mankal Vaidya and adding S.S. Mallikarjun. Both served as Ministers in Siddaramaiah’s Cabinet. Party sources said that Mr. Mallikarjun, representing Davangere North constituency, used his clout and also issued veiled threats to resign along with other family members. His wife Prabha Mallikarjun is a MP representing Davangere, and his son Samarth Mallikarjun was recently elected in the bypolls from Davangere South. As speculation over another list emerged amid several legislators airing their disappointment in public, a government communique intimated about the rescheduling of the swearing-in from 4.05 p.m. to 5 p.m. Meanwhile, A.V. Gayatri Shanthegouda, whose name was considered as the female face in the list of 20 legislators in the morning, did not take oath in the evening.
Ms. Shanthegouda’s petition against the election of M.K. Pranaesh had led to his disqualification from Chikkamagalur Local Authorities constituency, which he won against her in the Legislative Council in 2022. Though she was scheduled to take oath as MLC at 12.30 p.m. on Monday, it did not take place since the Council’s Secretariat did not receive the election certification from the Chikkamagalur Deputy Commissioner. Eventually, 19 legislators took oath through 20 names had been released. Party sources said that opposition to her induction into the Cabinet came from Mr. Siddaramaiah on the grounds of caste and regional combination. “With her induction to the Cabinet, it was felt that there would be three Kurubas — Yathindra Siddaramaiah and Byrathi Suresh besides her, and all from South Karnataka region. He had favoured Basavaraj Shivannanavar from Byadagi. The vacancy is likely to be filled soon with a representation for women,” sources said. Sources said that a couple of legislators who were inducted into the Cabinet in the evening had their names included only on Monday morning as hectic lobbying continued till late on Sunday.
“Though Mr. Shivakumar and Mr. Siddaramaiah carried their lists to the Central leadership, it looks like the party had its own plan. The legislators who have missed out would be accommodated in boards and corporations that will be rejigged. The party wanted new faces and the Cabinet now has nine first-time Ministers.” Denying that there was any confusion in the list, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that the list that he gave to the Governor was final. “What the high command sent me and what I gave to the Governor is final. All others are not final. There is no confusion in the list. Mankal Vaidya is still with me.” Caste combination Despite heartburns among legislators, the Congress has justified the Cabinet formation on representation of castes. Of the total 33 Cabinet Ministers, seven each are Lingayats, Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes, five are Vokkaligas in addition to the Chief Minister, three Scheduled Tribes and three Muslims.
The BriefWire