Bengaluru: While the brass of the ruling Congress continues to grapple with portfolio allocation among senior functionaries, it is also facing growing pressure to accommodate younger legislators in the council of ministers. Over 70 legislators, most of whom are camped at a resort awaiting the conclusion of legislative council elections, are reportedly in contention for ministerial positions, making it a problem of plenty for chief minister DK Shivakumar.
He is likely to expand his 14-member (including the CM) cabinet after council polls end on Thursday (June 18). At present, there are 24 vacancies. Last week, a group of relatively young legislators, led by minister Krishna Byre Gowda, met the party high command in Delhi to press for greater representation of emerging functionaries in the cabinet. The delegation included Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad, Hangal legislator Srinivas Mane and Ajay Dharam Singh, who represents Jevargi in the assembly.
“We have sought six to seven cabinet berths for younger legislators, keeping in mind the interest of the party’s future,” said one MLA. The demand has gained momentum amid what functionaries describe as a “strong push” from Lok Sabha opposition leader and AICC functionary Rahul Gandhi for the induction of younger faces into the cabinet. Currently, the average age of Shivakumar’s council of ministers stands at 61 years. The youngest is urban development minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, while food and civil supplies minister KH Muniyappa, at 78, is the oldest.
Congress Legislature Party includes some 40 first-time MLAs, while another 30 to 35 legislators have been elected several times, creating a substantial pool of aspirants for ministerial positions. Political observers say cabinet expansion will likely pose a significant challenge for Shivakumar, who must balance demands for generational change with regional, caste and community considerations.
Community representation remains a key factor in discussions. Representatives from the Muslim community, citing strong electoral support for Congress, are reportedly seeking four cabinet positions. Simultaneously, the dominant Vokkaliga community, to which Shivakumar belongs, and the Lingayat community, which already has senior functionaries holding major portfolios, are expected to play an important role in shaping the final composition of the cabinet. This could potentially limit opportunities for younger aspirants from those groups.
Regional representation is also expected to influence selection. The coastal belt and the Malnad region currently lack representation in the cabinet, increasing the likelihood that legislators from those areas could be considered when the cabinet is expanded.
“Most of Karnataka’s population is youngsters and they need to be represented at the cabinet level. Fresh faces and youngsters will bring new ideas and energy into governance. I am confident the Congress high command will consider these aspects during expansion and provide an opportunity to youth,” said Rizwan Arshad, Shivajinagar MLA.
