Karnataka Congress MLAs Descend on Delhi as Cabinet Reshuffle Looms
With a major Cabinet reshuffle appearing inevitable in Karnataka, Congress legislators from across the state have intensified their efforts to secure ministerial positions, with several veterans and first-time MLAs making their way to the national capital to lobby the party high command.
The political activity has reached fever pitch as 16 berths remain available in the 34-member Siddaramaiah Cabinet, in addition to two vacancies created by the resignations of B Nagendra and K N Rajanna earlier this year.
Senior Leaders and Fresh Faces Vie for Power
Following a group of Congress MLAs who traveled to Delhi days earlier, senior leader and MLC B K Hariprasad has now arrived in the capital alongside MLAs H C Balakrishna, Iqbal Hussain, Sharath Bache Gowda, and Nayana Motamma to meet with central leadership.
Hariprasad, who currently serves as AICC in-charge for Haryana, has been actively pursuing a Cabinet position since the Congress formed the government in Karnataka in 2023. His case is strengthened by the fact that he was overlooked during Siddaramaiah's first term as chief minister between 2013 and 2018.
Other prominent aspirants include:
- Former Deputy CM Laxman Savadi, who joined Congress before the 2023 Assembly polls
- Former ministers T B Jayachandra, Basavaraj Raya Reddy, and R V Deshpande
- MLCs Salim Ahmed and Umashree
First-time MLAs are also making strong bids for ministerial roles, with Siddaramaiah's legal advisor A S Ponnanna and Motamma among those seeking elevation.
Political Calculations and Regional Balance
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who has long aspired to become chief minister, defended the Delhi visits by party legislators. "They are going for their future. Since the Cabinet expansion has been announced, they are seeking ministerial berths," he stated on Monday.
According to Congress sources, the party is considering multiple factors in filling the vacancies:
- Regional representation with Bengaluru likely to get additional ministers
- Electoral calculations ahead of upcoming local body elections
- Balance between experienced leaders and fresh talent
A Congress legislator revealed that 28 first-time MLAs in the party are arguing they deserve opportunities similar to ministers like Priyank Kharge, Krishna Byre Gowda, or Dinesh Gundu Rao, who were elevated soon after their first electoral victories.
Timing and Political Dynamics
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently indicated that although the party high command approved the Cabinet reshuffle five months ago, he suggested waiting until his government completed two-and-a-half years in power. This milestone was reached last week.
Congress insiders suggest the induction of new ministers will likely occur in late December or January, with changes unlikely before the Winter Session of the Assembly commencing on December 8.
The political maneuvering comes amid ongoing tensions between the camps loyal to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. Recently, a group of seven to eight MLAs and several MLCs considered staunch supporters of Shivakumar traveled to Delhi to meet party chief Mallikarjun Kharge.
Sources indicate the Congress high command has asked Siddaramaiah to delay the reshuffle that he favors but which Shivakumar opposes unless accompanied by a handover of the chief minister's position. The longstanding demand from the CM's group for a new state president has also been put on hold due to Shivakumar's reluctance to step down.
As Karnataka politics enters this crucial phase, all eyes remain on Delhi where the Congress leadership must balance competing interests while preparing for upcoming electoral challenges, including the important Greater Bengaluru Area polls.
