Supporters upset over their leaders not making it to State Cabinet

In a letter to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Kannada organisations have demanded the inclusion of H.K. Patil (in pic) in the second round of Cabinet expansion.

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Supporters of some leaders in North Kannada districts are disappointed over their leaders not being made Ministers in the D.K. Shivakumar-led Congress government in the State.In a letter to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Kannada organisations have demanded the inclusion of H.K. Patil in the second round of Cabinet expansion.“The exclusion of senior leader H.K. Patil from the Cabinet can harm the interests of the State, its language and borders. Not including him in the Cabinet has come as a shock to us. It has caused great disappointment to the people of North Karnataka, especially to the residents of border areas and pro-Kannada organizations. Including him in the Cabinet will send a message to the people that there is still room for value-based politics in Karnataka Congress,” the letter said.“It was on the insistence of Kannada organisations and residents of border areas that then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appointed H.K. Patil as Minister in-charge of border areas issues. He was re-appointed in 2023. He studied the issues in depth and held wide-ranging discussions with all stakeholders. It was Mr. Patil’s recommendation that led to the State government sanctioning schools in border villages where there were no Kannada primary and secondary schools. He also released ₹50 lakh for Rajyotsava celebrations in Belagavi. Keeping Mr. Patil away from the Ministry will send a wrong message to the people. H.K. Patil’s father, K.H. Patil served as Minister in-charge of border areas in the Devaraj Urs government in 1973,” said convenor of the central committee of Kannada organisations Ashok Chandargi.“We are upset that our leader has not been accommodated,” said Basavaraj Naganur, a supporter of MLA Laxman Savadi.He said that several supporters of Mr. Savadi across Athani constituency were upset that their leader has not been made a Minister. “We demand that he be included in the Ministry as soon as possible,” he said.Some members of the District Congress Committee feel that there are several deserving leaders in Belagavi district. A leader, who did not want to be named, said that he is hoping that senior leaders like Laxmi Hebbalkar and Mahantesh Koujalagi will join the Cabinet.“We are disappointed, naturally. We hope they will be included in the next round of Cabinet expansion,” he said.On Thursday, Minister Satish Jarkiholi said that Belagavi district should get two Ministers, while a third one will be an added advantage.Minister M.B. Patil said on Wednesday that there is a demand for another Ministerial post for Vijayapura district. He then requested the party high command to fulfil the demand of the people.He told his followers in Bengaluru that six Congress MLAs have been elected from Vijayapura and that the district required higher representation.“I have personally requested our high command to provide another Ministerial post for the development of the district. I hope it will be fulfilled in the next Cabinet expansion,” he said. Published - June 04, 2026 08:24 pm IST