Karnataka Cabinet berths on line as DKS, Siddaramaiah to meet Congress brass today

DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah flew to Delhi to finalise Karnataka's new Cabinet with the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and senior leader KC Venugoal.

In Short

• First expansion may include 10 to 12 ministers with DK Shivakumar as CM
• Siddaramaiah has suggested several names, but high command will decide
• Lobbying has intensified as leaders press claims for ministerial berths

Karnataka Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah left for New Delhi on Monday for crucial discussions with the Congress high command to finalise the composition of the new state Cabinet ahead of the swearing-in ceremony on June 3.

The two senior leaders boarded a chartered flight and are expected to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi later in the day. According to their travel schedules, both leaders are due to arrive in Delhi in the afternoon, while their return plans remain open-ended as discussions over Cabinet formation continue.

Speaking to reporters before departure, Shivakumar confirmed that both he and Siddaramaiah would travel to Delhi for consultations with the party leadership.

Sources told India Today TV that the first phase of Cabinet expansion is likely to see 10 to 12 ministers sworn in alongside Shivakumar. While several names have reportedly been suggested by Siddaramaiah, the final decision is expected to rest with the Congress high command.

Among the names understood to have been proposed are Congress MLC and Siddaramaiah's son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Byrathi Suresh, Basavaraj Rayareddy, HC Mahadevappa, Santosh Lad, TB Jayachandra Ponanna, Puttarangashetty and K Venkatesh. Party leaders said the recommendations would be examined before the leadership takes a final call.

Yathindra has expressed confidence about securing a ministerial berth, stating that the Congress leadership had assured him of a place in the new Cabinet.

Shivakumar, who was elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party on Saturday, is scheduled to take oath as Karnataka's Chief Minister at 4.05 pm on June 3 at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru. A section of the Council of Ministers is expected to be sworn in alongside him.

The Cabinet formation exercise is being closely watched as the Congress balances competing interests among a large number of aspirants for ministerial positions. Karnataka has a sanctioned Cabinet strength of 34, including the Chief Minister, making the allocation of portfolios a politically sensitive exercise.

Lobbying for ministerial berths has intensified in recent days, with several legislators and former ministers travelling to Delhi to present their cases before the party leadership. Many have also held meetings with both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah.

According to party sources, the new Cabinet is likely to include a blend of experienced leaders and fresh faces, with efforts being made to balance regional representation, caste equations and the interests of various factions within the party.

Speculation has also been rife about the possibility of appointing multiple deputy chief ministers, though no decision has been announced.

Congress MLA GH Srinivasa openly acknowledged his aspirations for a Cabinet berth, saying that there is a possibility of the Congress appointing three deputy chief ministers: one each from Scheduled Caste, Other Backward Class and Lingayat communities.

"I am 100 per cent an aspirant for a ministerial berth. We have requested that a ministerial post be given to our district (Chikkamagaluru). There could be 3 Deputy CMs. I feel that leaders from SC, OBC, and Lingayat communities should be given representation. If we continue with the same combination of leaders, we can win even more seats in the future," he said.

Apart from Cabinet formation, the Congress leadership is also expected to discuss appointments to key organisational posts, including the next Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president. Senior MLA Satish Jarkiholi is considered a leading contender for the role.

The Delhi meetings are also likely to cover candidate selection for the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections scheduled for June 18.

With its current strength in the Assembly, the Congress is expected to comfortably secure three of the four Rajya Sabha seats and five of the seven Legislative Council seats that are up for election.

Siddaramaiah stepped down on May 28 after months of internal power-sharing negotiations with Shivakumar. The Congress Legislature Party subsequently elected Shivakumar as its leader, paving the way for him to assume office as Karnataka's next Chief Minister on June 3.

- Ends