Nearly two months after Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was sworn in, Karnataka’s much-awaited Cabinet expansion is yet to take place.
Shivakumar, along with several senior Congress leaders from the state, met the party high command at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss the long-pending expansion.
According to media reports, the names of around 20 new ministers are expected to be finalised today. The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held next week. At present, the Karnataka Cabinet comprises 14 ministers, including the Chief Minister.
Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar and Deputy CM G Parameshwara met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi on Thursday.
Karnataka’s cabinet may include 34 ministers
DK Shivakumar took oath on June 3 along with Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and 12 other ministers. Constitutionally, Karnataka can have a total of 34 ministers including the Chief Minister, which means approximately 20 positions are still vacant.
According to sources, the party high command is trying to balance caste, community, and new-old leaders, which is causing the delay in cabinet expansion.
Additionally, different names are being suggested by the factions of DK Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Vokkaliga, Lingayat and Kuruba communities are important in Karnataka politics
In Karnataka, Lingayat (approximately 17%) is the largest community, while Vokkaliga (approximately 15%) dominates in South Karnataka, which is led by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Meanwhile, the Kuruba (approximately 7-8%) community is a major backward class, from which Chief Minister Siddaramaiah comes and he maintains a strong hold through his Ahinda politics. Siddaramaiah’s son Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah has also been included in the cabinet.
