Bengaluru, June 22 (AHN) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday said the decision on expansion of the state Cabinet rests entirely with the Congress high command and that his role is limited to implementing the list approved by the party leadership.

While addressing representatives of various dargahs from 14 districts of North Karnataka, who met him seeking Cabinet berths for Salim Ahmed, Shivakumar said: "The high command decides on Cabinet expansion. My responsibility is to implement the list they provide. The request has been made that senior MLC Salim Ahmed be given an opportunity, and I will convey your appeal to the party leadership."

Emphasising the Congress party's commitment to inclusive governance, Shivakumar said the party believes in carrying all castes and communities together and remains committed to the Constitution.

"The minority community has stood firmly with the Congress party. We have worked for you, and with your blessings, the Congress won 136 seats in the Assembly elections," he said.

Recalling developments after the Congress came to power in Karnataka, Shivakumar said he had expected to become Chief Minister, but the party leadership instead decided that he and Siddaramaiah would share responsibilities.

Speaking about Salim Ahmed, Shivakumar said he had personally backed his candidature for the Legislative Council despite opposition from some quarters.

"Salim Ahmed, former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake and I were student leaders and have worked together in politics for many years. There was resistance to making him an MLC, but I persuaded him to contest. Had he remained active in Bengaluru politics, he might have entered the Lok Sabha long ago. He also had opportunities at the national level," he said.

The Chief Minister noted that Salim Ahmed had earlier served as Chief Whip during the tenure of former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna and is currently serving as Chief Whip in the present government.

Shivakumar said the Congress had consistently provided opportunities to minority leaders and cited the nomination of Mansoor Ali Khan to the Rajya Sabha as an example.

"I encouraged senior Congress leader Rahman Khan's son, Mansoor Ali Khan, to contest the Lok Sabha election. At the time, many people laughed. I told him that the party was recognising his potential regardless of the election outcome. Later, when Siddaramaiah declined the Rajya Sabha opportunity offered to him, the party leadership, Siddaramaiah and I discussed the matter and selected Mansoor Ali Khan. He is a promising leader for the future," he said.

Highlighting the party's efforts to promote minority leaders, Shivakumar said Congress had fielded and helped elect minority candidates against politically influential opponents.

"It was not easy to field MLA Iqbal Hussain against the son of a former Chief Minister in Ramanagara and secure victory in the last Assembly polls. Likewise, it was not easy to field Yaser Ahmed Khan Pathan against former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's son and win. Many within the party had different opinions, but I relied on survey findings," he said.

The Chief Minister said Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader had sacrificed a ministerial position earlier and was later accommodated accordingly.

"Khader should have become a minister during the previous term, but he chose to become Speaker. We had assured him that he would be given the portfolio he desired, and he has now been entrusted with the Health Department," he said.

Shivakumar acknowledged that there was intense pressure from various communities seeking representation in the Cabinet.

"Some seers and community leaders are recommending different names. You are supporting Salim Ahmed. Similarly, leaders from the Vokkaliga, Lingayat and Christian communities are also putting forward their candidates. In such circumstances, political decisions become difficult," he said.

He added that communities, including Lambanis, Marathas, Kurubas and leaders from backward classes were all seeking representation for their preferred candidates.

"Lambani and Maratha leaders have approached us. Backward class leaders are seeking opportunities for Santosh Lad and Srinivas Mane. Kuruba leaders are advocating for Shivanna. Lakshman Savadi, who served as Deputy Chief Minister and joined the Congress during difficult times, is also seeking consideration," he said.

The Chief Minister also named Mahesh Koujalgi, Appaji Nadagouda, Shivanand Patil, Yashwant Patil and J.S. Patil among those aspiring for ministerial positions.

Shivakumar said the Congress leadership was also considering giving opportunities to younger and new leaders.

"Because we won a large majority in the Assembly, there is confusion over how many members from the Legislative Council should be included in the Cabinet. Several senior leaders have not been accommodated despite waiting for years. At the same time, I have argued that newcomers should also be given opportunities. The leadership in Delhi is deliberating on the issue, though no final discussion has been held with me yet," he said.

He stressed that he did not want factionalism within the party.

"We have only one group, the Congress group. We have only one religion, the Congress. AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge has his own considerations and faces many constraints. During the last expansion, he strongly recommended Rahim Khan for a ministerial berth," he said.

Shivakumar said he was working on new initiatives aimed at empowering minorities, backward classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

"I have a new vision for minority welfare. We have decided to bring reforms to strengthen the backward classes, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Details will be announced in due course," he said.

The Chief Minister maintained that he held no personal bias against any aspirant and was open-minded on Cabinet appointments.

"I do not want to block anyone's opportunity. Those who work for the party, strengthen the organisation and travel across the state to build support are important to me. Personal interests do not matter. We need leaders who enjoy public support," he said.

Referring to criticism over the withdrawal of cases related to the Hubballi riots, Shivakumar said the government would face such criticism but remained committed to maintaining peace.

"Peace is the foremost requirement for everyone. We have been criticised for withdrawing the Hubballi riot cases, but we are prepared to face that criticism," he added.