A political storm is brewing in Karnataka as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s hint at a cabinet reshuffle, dropped during a Monday evening dinner on October 13, 2025, has unleashed a frenzy of lobbying among Congress aspirants. With the reshuffle likely slated for December, post-Bihar Assembly polls, ambitious leaders are pulling out all stops to secure ministerial berths in a bid to rejuvenate the state’s administration.

Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna and Sagar MLA Gopalakrishna Beluru are among the frontrunners, exuding confidence in their chances. Balakrishna, banking on his seniority, told reporters that both Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar have assured him a spot, while also rooting for Shivakumar as a future CM, citing his role in Congress’s rise to power. Beluru, hailing from Shivamogga, claims a strong regional case, amid whispers that Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa might be shifted to a party role if dropped.

Sources reveal that 12-15 ministers could be replaced to inject fresh energy, with Siddaramaiah assuring current ministers graceful exits via party posts. Heavyweights like Congress chief whip Saleem Ahmed, senior leader BK Hariprasad, Narasimharaja MLA Tanvir Sait, Sira MLA TB Jayachandra, Assembly chief whip Ashok Pattan, and former minister Lakshman Savadi are reportedly in the race for cabinet spots.

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The Scheduled Caste (SC) Left faction is pushing for three berths, currently holding two with Ministers KH Muniyappa and RB Thimmapur. Muniyappa’s daughter, KGF MLA Roopkala Shashidhar, and MLC Sudham Das are emerging contenders. Meanwhile, the SC Right, with ministers like Dr HC Mahadevappa, Dr G Parameshwara, and Priyank Kharge, faces competition from aspirants like Bangarapete MLA SN Narayanaswamy, Anekal MLA B Shivanna, Malavalli MLA PM Narendraswamy, Hubli-Dharwad East MLA Abbayya Prasad, and Kollegal MLA AR Krishnamurthy.

As the Congress high command focuses on Bihar, Karnataka’s political landscape is heating up. The reshuffle promises to reshape the cabinet, balancing regional, community, and seniority dynamics while testing party unity. With ambitious leaders vying for power, the coming weeks will reveal who makes the cut in this high-stakes political game.

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