Karnataka Cabinet Expansion Soon? DK Shivakumar In Delhi, Congress Top Brass To Hold Key Meet Today

Published 14 July 2026 · local

Karnataka Cabinet Expansion Soon? DK Shivakumar In Delhi, Congress Top Brass To Hold Key Meet Today Published By, Last Updated: July 14, 2026, 12:26 IST

Karnataka Cabinet Expansion Soon? DK Shivakumar In Delhi, Congress Top Brass To Hold Key Meet Today Published By, Last Updated: July 14, 2026, 12:26 IST The DK Shivakumar-led government currently has only 14 ministers, including the Chief Minister, against the sanctioned strength of 34. Rapid Read Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Karnataka Cabinet Expansion: The Congress’s top leadership including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi and AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal are scheduled to hold a key meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss organisational matters and the current political situation. According to party sources, the meeting is expected to focus on proposed organisational restructuring, the party’s political strategy, and the long-awaited expansion of the DK Shivakumar-led Karnataka Cabinet. On Monday, Kharge said the expansion would take place “at the earliest" after Rahul Gandhi returns from his overseas visit. “It will happen at the earliest; it will be done…once Rahul Gandhi comes back (from abroad)," Kharge told reporters in response to a question on cabinet expansion.

Several ministerial hopefuls, including MLAs Ashok Pattan, Shivalinge Gowda, and TD Rajegowda, met Kharge at his Bengaluru residence over the weekend. Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has also reached Delhi to begin consultations with the Congress high command on expanding his one-month-old cabinet. He is expected to meet Kharge and Rahul Gandhi over the next few days, with the exercise likely to be completed before the Karnataka legislature session begins on August 6. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Shivakumar said he would make a brief visit to Delhi. “There is no delay from my side (for cabinet expansion). Whenever they (party high command) give me time, I will go. They will give me a date in another three or four days. Once they do, I will go and come back," he told reporters. The DK Shivakumar-led government currently has only 14 ministers, including the Chief Minister, against the sanctioned strength of 34, leaving 20 cabinet berths vacant. The delay has led to intense lobbying by MLAs and aspirants seeking ministerial positions.

The Congress high command has already cautioned Karnataka MLAs, community leaders and religious seers against publicly lobbying for cabinet posts, asking them to maintain party discipline and avoid actions that could fuel factionalism. Senior Congress leader and Karnataka minister Satish Jarkiholi also said on Monday that the decision on cabinet expansion would be taken by the party’s central leadership. He added that ministerial appointments would be made keeping in mind the party’s prospects in future elections. “There is a saying — it will happen sooner or later," he said. On reports that senior Congress leader BK Hariprasad may be inducted as a minister, he added, “I don’t know about it. The high command will decide." Highlighting the size of Belagavi, Jarkiholi said that the district should be given more representation in the cabinet. “Belagavi is a big district. It should be given three ministerial positions. It would be good if that happens," he said. He also reiterated that the Congress would contest the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections under Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s leadership.