Karnataka Cabinet Expansion Likely Delayed as 100-Day Events, Special Session Take Centre Stage
The much-anticipated expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet is likely to be postponed, as the Congress government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar prepares for a series of events marking its first 100 days in office, followed by a special session of the legislature.
The government, which has two vacant ministerial posts, is reportedly prioritising the 100-day celebrations scheduled for the second week of September and the three-day legislature session convened later that month to discuss the drought situation and the Kasturirangan report. Sources said these engagements have pushed the Cabinet expansion to the back burner for now.
According to government sources, any decision on filling the vacancies is a political one that rests with the Congress high command. The appointments would need to address representation for women, the Kuruba and Valmiki communities, and the demands of former Minister and Vokkaliga legislator from Vijayanagar, M. Krishnappa. Sources said the high command would move once it has devised a solution.
The delay also stems from the circumstances surrounding the vacancies. One post has been vacant since the initial expansion due to last-minute confusion over MLC A.V. Gayatri Shanthegowda's induction. The other fell vacant following the resignation of B. Nagendra, who had been inducted during the expansion but stepped down after sustained demands from the opposition BJP and JD(S) in connection with the multi-crore Valmiki Corporation scam. Although Ms. Shanthegowda belongs to the Kuruba community, her candidature is believed to have faced opposition from former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is reportedly backing Byadagi legislator Basavaraj Neelappa Shivannanavar for the post.
Chief Minister Shivakumar has earlier indicated that one woman would be accommodated in the Cabinet, but he has since clarified that this could wait. Party sources suggest that Sandur legislator E. Annapoorna, a first-time MLA and wife of Ballari MP E. Tukaram, is a strong candidate. Being from the Valmiki community and a woman, she could fulfil both criteria, sources said.
Meanwhile, speculation continues over the possible induction of M. Krishnappa, who is said to be upset and has reportedly threatened to leave the party along with his son, Govindraja Nagar legislator Priya Krishna. His entry is expected to require the resignation of an existing Vokkaliga minister to create a vacancy. Efforts to placate him with the offer of the party's working president post are said to have failed, as he is insistent on a Cabinet berth.
Sources said the party is considering offering working president posts to accommodate both Nagendra and any minister who might step aside for Krishnappa. Nagendra is also being considered for the chairmanship of the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board. However, political observers note that the buzz over the expansion may subside further as legislators enter election mode following the Budget session later in the year.
Another source commented that after the initial momentum of Mr. Shivakumar's smooth ascension to Chief Minister, the Cabinet expansion process has lost steam. The party leadership is wary of reopening a contentious issue that could once again stir unrest within the ranks.
