Karnataka cabinet expansion likely next week, as Congress MLAs pitch for ministerial berths

With the Karnataka Cabinet expansion expected early next week, several Congress legislators have openly expressed their hopes of securing ministerial positions, while party leaders maintained that the final decision rests with the Congress high command after consultations in New Delhi. Speculation intensified after a meeting lasting nearly two hours was held at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital, where senior party leaders reportedly discussed the proposed expansion.

Congress MLA Basavaraj Rayareddi said the party leadership and the Chief Minister would decide the composition of the new Cabinet. While indicating that the expansion could take place on Monday, he said he was leaving the decision entirely to the high command and was not actively lobbying for a ministerial berth.

Another Congress MLA, Ashok Pattan, said an announcement is likely either on Sunday evening or Monday morning. Referring to the Delhi meeting, he noted that AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal is expected to arrive on Sunday, after which the party may reveal the names of the new ministers. Pattan also acknowledged that he is among those hoping to be included in the Cabinet but said no one knows whose names have been approved.

Congress legislator Nayana Motamma also expressed confidence that the swearing-in ceremony could take place on Monday. She said she expects the party high command to send its final list by Sunday night. Motamma added that she had met senior Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, and would be honoured to serve if the party decides to give opportunities to younger leaders while also considering women's representation.

MLA Shivaraj Tangadagi echoed similar sentiments, saying senior leaders had indicated that a decision would be announced soon. He expressed confidence about his own prospects but said he would respect whatever decision is taken by the party leadership and the Chief Minister. Veteran Congress MLA Shivalinge Gowda also voiced optimism, stating that everything would become clear on Monday. He said he was confident that the Cabinet expansion would take place as scheduled and hoped to be among those inducted.

Congress MP Randeep Surjewala declined to comment on the expected timeline, saying that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president would officially announce the date of the Cabinet expansion. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara had clarified that the expansion would only move forward after detailed discussions between Chief Minister Shivakumar, senior state leaders, and the Congress high command, with the final approval resting with the party's central leadership. At present, the Karnataka Cabinet consists of 14 ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, following D.K. Shivakumar's appointment as Chief Minister on June 3.