The Congress leadership is set to finalise the long-awaited expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet, with the swearing-in ceremony for new ministers scheduled to take place on Wednesday at Lok Bhavan. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday to hold discussions with the party’s central leadership. The consultations are expected to conclude with the approval of a list that seeks to balance regional, caste and community representation.
According to party sources, more than half of the remaining cabinet vacancies are likely to be filled by fresh faces. The expansion is also expected to improve gender representation, with at least two women likely to be inducted into the ministry. In addition, the Congress is considering allocating two or three cabinet berths to leaders from the minority community. The exercise is aimed at strengthening the party’s organisational and political outreach ahead of future electoral challenges while ensuring equitable representation across Karnataka.
Regional considerations are expected to play a significant role in the final selection of ministers. Kalyana Karnataka, the home region of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, is likely to secure three to four ministerial positions. Among the Vokkaliga leaders under consideration are Sharath Bachegowda, H.C. Balakrishna, N. Cheluvarayaswamy and Priya Krishna. Women leaders being considered include Khaneez Fatima, Lakshmi Hebbalkar and Roopakala Shashidhar, daughter of Union Minister K.H. Muniyappa. However, sources indicate that Lakshmi Hebbalkar may instead be appointed as a KPCC Working President, which could rule out her induction into the cabinet.
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Among minority leaders, Rizwan Arshad, Tanveer Sait and MLC Saleem Ahmed are considered frontrunners for cabinet berths. The list of Lingayat leaders under consideration includes Vijayanand Kashappanavar, Laxman Savadi, Appaji Nadagouda, Ashok Pattan and Basavaraj Rayareddi. Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna is also expected to find a place in the ministry, potentially giving the Kodava community cabinet representation after nearly two decades. Another probable entrant is Ajay Singh, son of former Chief Minister Dharam Singh, reflecting the party’s effort to accommodate experienced political families alongside emerging leaders.
The expansion may also be accompanied by changes in ministerial portfolios. Sources indicate that Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao could be assigned a different department if the Congress high command succeeds in persuading H.K. Patil to assume the role of Speaker. However, this aspect remains subject to official confirmation. Senior Congress MLA R.V. Deshpande is reportedly interested in returning to the cabinet, but party leaders are said to be reluctant to include him, citing his age. The final composition of the expanded cabinet is expected to provide a clearer picture of the Congress leadership’s strategy for governance and political management in Karnataka.
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