Karnataka Cabinet Expansion: 20 Ministers to Take Oath Today
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet is set for a major expansion on Monday, with 20 new ministers scheduled to take oath at a ceremony at 4 pm. The expansion, approved by the Governor, comes as the ruling Congress seeks to balance representation across regions and communities while addressing aspirations within the party.
According to sources cited by PTI, the new ministerial list includes a mix of first-time legislators and experienced leaders. The full list of ministers to be sworn in is as follows:
Shivakumar, Narendraswamy, Shivaraj Tangadagi, Rudrappa Lamani, K.S. Basavanthappa, B. Nagendra, T. Raghumoorthy, B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rizwan Arshad, Santosh Lad, Madhu Bangarappa, Putturangashetty, Mankala Vaidya, Dr. Ajay Singh, N. Chaluvaraya Swamy, K.M. Shivalinge Gowda, H.C. Balakrishna, Gayathri Shanthegowda, Basvaraj Rayareddi, Vijayanand Kashappanavar, and Laxman Savadi.
In a separate development, G.S. Patil has been chosen as the new Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, while A.S. Ponnanna will serve as Deputy Speaker. Their appointments are part of the broader organisational changes within the state's legislative framework.
The cabinet expansion is seen as an effort to ensure that districts currently unrepresented in the ministry receive adequate representation. Political observers note that the move aims to strengthen the Congress's position in the state ahead of upcoming elections, though the party has not officially commented on political calculations.
The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be attended by senior party leaders and state officials. This expansion brings the total strength of the Karnataka Cabinet to its full constitutional limit, allowing the government to function with a complete ministerial team.
The development follows weeks of speculation about potential inductees and portfolio allocations. The new ministers are likely to be assigned portfolios after the ceremony, with an eye on maintaining a balance between experienced hands and new faces.
Citizens and political analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the expanded cabinet performs in addressing key issues facing Karnataka, including infrastructure development, agricultural distress, and employment generation.
