Four Deputy CMs, Siddaramaiah Loyalists: Inside Congress's Karnataka Cabinet Shake-Up Plan
Four Deputy CMs, Siddaramaiah Loyalists: Inside Congress's Karnataka Cabinet Shake-Up Plan Published By, Last Updated: May 29, 2026, 12:53 IST The Congress has to balance
Four Deputy CMs, Siddaramaiah Loyalists: Inside Congress's Karnataka Cabinet Shake-Up Plan Published By, Last Updated: May 29, 2026, 12:53 IST The Congress has to balance regional representation, caste equations, generational transition, and factional accommodation in the new Karnataka Cabinet to be led by Shivakumar. Rapid Read Reports suggest the party is considering appointing four Deputy CMs to balance caste and regional equations. (AI generated image) The transition in Karnataka is now moving at full speed. A day after veteran Congress leader Siddaramaiah resigned as Chief Minister, the party has begun intense internal consultations over the shape of the government that incoming chief minister DK Shivakumar will lead. Even before Shivakumar formally takes oath, conversations within the Congress have shifted to who stays in the cabinet, who gets dropped, and which new power centres emerge in the post-Siddaramaiah era. The exercise is politically complex. The Congress leadership has to balance regional representation, caste equations, generational transition, factional accommodation and the ambitions of leaders who believe this reshuffle is their best chance in years. Read More: Siddaramaiah’s Exit, Shivakumar’s Rise: 7 Reasons Behind Congress’s Calculated Karnataka Gamble Multiple reports suggest the Congress high command is considering a major overhaul rather than a routine reshuffle. The broad thinking appears to be a Kerala model – blending experienced ministers with younger faces who can help the party prepare for the 2028 Assembly elections. Senior Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi indicated as much while speaking about the transition. “New and young faces should be there in Cabinet. We need this for the future," he said, while also confirming that discussions over the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) post would happen once both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar return to Bengaluru. Jarkiholi also signalled that several decisions are still fluid. “Let’s wait till tomorrow to know how many Deputy CMs will be there," he said, adding that the Congress Legislature Party meeting is expected on Friday and the oath-taking ceremony could happen by Monday. Importantly, former Karnataka law minister HK Patil underlined that Siddaramaiah would continue to remain politically relevant despite stepping down.
That message is significant because one of the biggest concerns inside the Congress is how to transition power without alienating Siddaramaiah’s loyalists, who continue to dominate large parts of the party organisation and legislature wing. Siddaramaiah Camp Still Wants Strong Representation Speculation intensified on Thursday after Siddaramaiah met the Congress high command in Delhi along with his son Yathindra Siddaramaiah. The meeting has fuelled political chatter that Yathindra could be given a significant organisational or governmental role in the new dispensation. While there is no official confirmation yet, leaders close to the outgoing CM are expected to push for adequate representation of the Siddaramaiah camp in both the cabinet and party structure. The Congress leadership is aware that any perception of a complete power transfer to Shivakumar’s faction could deepen internal fault lines. That is why the emerging formula appears to focus on coexistence rather than replacement. Karnataka To Get 4 Deputy CMs? One of the biggest unresolved questions is whether Karnataka will get multiple Deputy Chief Ministers under Shivakumar. Reports suggest the party is considering appointing four Deputy CMs to balance caste and regional equations. Some reports say Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge could be one of the Deputy CMs even though there is been no formal announcement on this. The proposal reportedly includes representation from Dalit, OBC, minority and Lingayat communities. The model is politically useful for the Congress because it allows the leadership to distribute power symbolically without diluting Shivakumar’s authority as Chief Minister. However, the final number remains undecided. Jarkiholi’s remarks suggest that consultations are still underway and no final formula has been locked in yet. Satish Jarkiholi’s Importance Rising? Among the leaders whose stature appears to be growing during this transition is Satish Jarkiholi. The senior leader from north Karnataka is increasingly being viewed as a key consensus figure within the party, particularly because of his acceptability across factions and communities. There is growing speculation that he could either get an enhanced cabinet portfolio or a major organisational role, including possible discussions around the KPCC presidency.
Given the Congress’s renewed focus on strengthening its northern Karnataka base, Jarkiholi’s role could become central to the party’s long-term electoral strategy. Lingayat Representation In Cabinet Senior Congress leader and former minister Eshwar Khandre has urged the party high command to ensure stronger representation for the Lingayat community in the new Karnataka cabinet. Stressing that the Congress has 36 Lingayat MLAs in the Assembly, Khandre said the community deserved significant representation in the government. He also argued that if the party goes ahead with the proposal of appointing multiple Deputy Chief Ministers, one of those posts should be given to a Lingayat leader to maintain social and political balance within the cabinet. Who Could Be Dropped? Though no official list has emerged, the signals from the Congress leadership point towards a performance-and-balance-based reshuffle. Several current ministers are believed to be under review, especially those facing allegations of non-performance, weak political outreach or limited regional influence. The emphasis on bringing young faces into the cabinet also means some senior ministers could make way for first-time entrants or second-line leaders. Sources within the party indicate that the high command wants ministers who can deliver politically ahead of the 2028 elections rather than simply satisfy factional arithmetic. At the same time, the Congress leadership is trying to avoid mass resentment. That is why some outgoing ministers may instead be accommodated in party organisation roles, corporations or boards. Kolar Leaders Push For Representation Even as cabinet discussions continue in Bengaluru and Delhi, lobbying has intensified from various districts. A group of Congress legislators and leaders from Kolar district has now written to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge seeking ministerial representation in the new cabinet. Those who signed the letter include SN Narayanaswamy, MLA from Bangarpet KY Nanje Gowda, MLA from Malur Kothur G Manjunath, MLA from Kolar Naseer Ahmed, MLC Anil Kumar, MLC V Adinarayana, former Mulbagal candidate K Chandra Reddy, former district Congress chief The demand reflects a wider trend now visible within the Karnataka Congress that almost every influential regional bloc wants representation in the new government before the power equations settle permanently under Shivakumar.
What Congress High Command Wants Despite the intense jockeying, senior leaders are publicly emphasising party discipline and central leadership authority. Karnataka Law Minister HK Patil told CNN-News18 that while there are many aspirants, the Congress high command’s decision would ultimately be accepted by everyone. “Aspirants are there but Congress high command’s word will be accepted by everyone over cabinet formation," he said. Patil also dismissed the BJP’s attempts to portray Siddaramaiah’s exit as a sign of instability. “Siddaramaiah will continue to be around so BJP trying to get mileage will not work," he said. Notably, Patil added that he was “content" with his tenure as Law Minister – a remark being interpreted in political circles as a signal that some senior leaders may voluntarily step aside to facilitate generational transition. The Real Challenge For DK Shivakumar For Shivakumar, becoming Chief Minister is only the beginning. His larger challenge will be managing competing ambitions inside the Congress while simultaneously proving that he can run a stable administration and keep the party electorally united. The cabinet he chooses will therefore be watched closely, not just for governance priorities, but as a map of the Congress’s future power structure in Karnataka. For now, the only certainty is that the Karnataka cabinet transition is shaping up to be far bigger than a simple change of Chief Minister. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 29, 2026, 12:49 IST News explainers Four Deputy CMs, Siddaramaiah Loyalists: Inside Congress's Karnataka Cabinet Shake-Up Plan 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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