A Cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka appears likely as the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government completed two-and-a-half years in office. Several legislators and council members have traveled to Delhi to press their claims for ministerial positions. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar acknowledged these efforts, stating legislators are seeking berths following the announced Cabinet expansion. 16 positions are available in the 34-member Cabinet, plus two vacancies created by resignations. Senior leaders overlooked previously, including B K Hariprasad, and first-time MLAs are among the aspirants. The party is considering regional balance, electoral calculations, and upcoming local body polls, particularly in Bengaluru. However, sources indicate the reshuffle may be delayed until late December or January, unlikely to happen before the Winter Assembly Session starting December 8. Internal tensions persist between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar over the timing and scope of changes.
Legislators Lobby for Ministerial Positions
Multiple Congress legislators have arrived in Delhi to meet the central leadership regarding Cabinet positions. Senior leader and MLC B K Hariprasad, along with MLAs H C Balakrishna, Iqbal Hussain, Sharath Bache Gowda, and Nayana Motamma, made the trip recently. Hariprasad, who serves as AICC in-charge for Haryana, has sought a Cabinet berth since Congress took power in Karnataka in 2023. He was overlooked during Siddaramaiah's first term between 2013 and 2018. Other aspirants include former Deputy CM Laxman Savadi, who joined Congress before the 2023 polls, and former ministers T B Jayachandra, Basavaraj Raya Reddy, and R V Deshpande. First-time MLAs, including Siddaramaiah's legal advisor A S Ponnanna, are also contending for positions.
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