Karnataka Cabinet Expansion Complete: DK Shivakumar Inducts 20 Ministers Amid Protests Over Exclusions

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday completed the long-awaited expansion of his Cabinet by inducting 20 new ministers, taking the Council of Ministers to its full sanctioned strength of 34, including the Chief Minister. However, what was meant to showcase unity within the ruling Congress was quickly overshadowed by protests and signs of internal dissatisfaction from leaders and supporters left out of the new team.

The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan, was administered by Governor Thawarchand Gehlot. Though scheduled to begin in the afternoon, the event started nearly an hour later and witnessed the induction of senior party leaders and legislators from different regions of the state.

The newly inducted ministers include P M Narendraswamy, Shivaraj Tangadagi, Rudrappa Lamani, K S Basavanthappa, B Nagendra, T Raghumoourthy, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rizwan Arshad, Santosh Lad, Madhu Bangarappa, Putturangashetty, Ajay Singh, N Chaluvarayaswamy, K M Shivalinge Gowda, H C Balakrishna, Gayathri Shanthegowda, Basvaraj Rayareddi, Vijayanand Kashappanavar and Laxman Savadi. In a last-minute correction, S S Mallikarjuna was inducted after the Congress clarified that Mankal Vaidya's appearance in an earlier list was due to a typographical error.

Alongside the Cabinet expansion, the Congress high command also finalised key legislative appointments. G S Patil was approved as the new Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, while A S Ponnanna was named Deputy Speaker. Saleem Ahmed will serve as Chairman of the Legislative Council, with Umashree appointed as Deputy Chairperson.

The final list was cleared after extensive consultations between the Congress high command and the state's top leadership. According to party insiders, senior leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, D K Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, each pushed for representation of their preferred legislators, making the selection process politically sensitive.

The exclusions, however, triggered immediate resentment. In Mysuru, a supporter of Congress leader Tanveer Sait allegedly consumed poison after Sait failed to secure a ministerial berth and was later visited by the MLA at the hospital. In Dharwad, supporters of Prasad Abbayya staged demonstrations by blocking roads, burning tyres and pelting stones at a government bus over his omission from the Cabinet. Local leaders also warned of intensified protests if their concerns were ignored.

Sensing an opportunity, the Opposition BJP accused the Congress of allowing internal rivalry to overshadow governance. BJP leader Gaurav Vallabh alleged that factional politics had delayed the Cabinet expansion and claimed the exercise reflected a power struggle within the ruling party.

Shivakumar had assumed office as Chief Minister on June 3, along with an initial team of 13 ministers, following Siddaramaiah's resignation on May 28. With the Cabinet now at full strength, attention will shift to the allocation of portfolios, which is expected to be announced in the coming days.