DK Shivakumar
The Karnataka cabinet can have a maximum of 34 members, including the CM. Party sources said nearly 15 ministers from Siddaramaiah’s outgoing cabinet may be retained.
However, home minister G Parameshwara is said to be lobbying strongly for the finance portfolio, while K H Muniyappa and H K Patil are eyeing the water resources department. The Congress high command is said to be looking at lists submitted by Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, with both leaders seeking accommodation for their loyalists. However, sources said Jarkiholi is seeking a dual role similar to DKS’ earlier arrangement as deputy CM and KPCC president.
Senior Dalit functionaries G Parameshwara, K H Muniyappa and Priyank Kharge, along with Lingayat heavyweights M B Patil and Eshwar Khandre, are among those pushing for deputy CM posts and key portfolios in the new dispensation. Industries minister M B Patil is also trying to retain his portfolio, arguing that a change could disrupt the state’s investment flow. A meeting involving Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC general secretary K C Venugopal was held in Delhi Friday to discuss cabinet formation, the new KPCC chief and Rajya Sabha polls. Senior Congress MLA Satish Jarkiholi from Belagavi had initially emerged as the frontrunner to replace DKS. This has reportedly prompted the high command to reconsider its options. Lingayat MLAs, too, have demanded stronger representation in the cabinet and deputy CM posts. After the meeting, minister
Another major challenge before the Congress leadership is the appointment of a new KPCC chief. The prospect of appointing multiple deputy CMs and reallocating key portfolios has intensified lobbying within the party ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, likely to take place on Monday.
BENGALURU: With the leadership tussle settled and D K Shivakumar expected to assume office as the new CM, the Congress high command has now turned its attention to the more challenging task of cabinet formation and selecting a new Congress president amid growing pressure from senior leaders and caste groups demanding representation.