(file photo)Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar
Barely two months after DK Shivakumar assumed office as Karnataka Chief Minister with a 14-member Council of Ministers, the Congress on Monday expanded the Cabinet by inducting 19 more ministers, taking the strength to 33. The exercise, however, immediately sparked dissidence within the ruling party, with several legislators and their supporters expressing disappointment over being left out.The expansion came after weeks of consultations between the Karnataka Congress leadership and the party high command in New Delhi over regional, caste and factional representation.“typographical error”The swearing-in itself witnessed last-minute changes. While the final list approved by the Congress high command reportedly contained 20 names, only 19 ministers took the oath. The lone woman nominee did not take oath amid what party leaders described as “confusion.” In another surprise development, although Mankal Vaidya figured in the original list released by the party, SS Mallikarjun was sworn in instead. The Congress later attributed the change to a “typographical error” in the list. The omissions triggered protests by supporters of several Congress legislators across the State.Backers of Mysuru district legislator Tanveer Sait, Sagar MLA Belur Gopalakrishna, Koppal MLA Raghavendra Hitnal and other aspirants staged demonstrations expressing their displeasure over the selection process. Indi constituency legislator Yashvantaraya Gouda Patil went a step further by submitting his resignation as an MLA, underscoring the depth of dissatisfaction among some sections of the party.Political observers said the cabinet composition indicates that the faction led by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appears to have secured a larger share of ministerial berths, even as the Congress leadership attempted to balance competing regional and social interests.Responding to the unrest, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar appealed for patience from those who were overlooked. “We are trying to accommodate as many people as possible. Those who have not got an opportunity now should be patient. There will be opportunities for others in the future,” he said, seeking to reassure disappointed legislators.No woman in CabinetThe expansion has also drawn criticism over the complete absence of women ministers. Despite the Cabinet now comprising 33 members, there is not a single woman minister, prompting sharp reactions from the Opposition.The BJP accused the Congress of failing to practice what it preaches on women’s representation. “While the Congress speaks of 33 per cent reservation for women, it has not found a place for even one woman in the Karnataka Cabinet,” BJP leaders said, describing the omission as a contradiction of the party’s public commitments.The Opposition also alleged that ministerial appointments were driven not by merit or public service but by financial considerations, claiming that the Congress high command had made “payment” the principal criterion for Cabinet positions. The Congress has not responded to the allegation.The Cabinet expansion marks an important milestone for the Shivakumar government as it seeks to provide broader political representation and strengthen its administrative team. However, the immediate eruption of factional discontent and criticism over the lack of gender representation suggest that the exercise may have resolved some political equations while opening up new challenges for the Chief Minister in managing the party’s internal dynamics.Published on August 3, 2026
