Karnataka Cabinet Expansion Likely on Monday; Swearing-in at Lok Bhavan

Bengaluru: The much-awaited expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet is likely to take place on Monday evening, with the state government informally seeking time from Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot for the swearing-in ceremony at Lok Bhavan. The development comes after days of deliberations and intense lobbying among legislators aspiring for ministerial berths.

According to party sources, the list of legislators to be sworn in is expected to reach Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday morning from the Congress Central leadership. Once the list arrives, many of the chosen legislators could be intimated shortly thereafter.

Sources indicated that although the Central leadership had initially preferred Saturday for the ceremony with the list being ready, it was postponed for an “astrologically favourable day”, which falls on Monday. “Informally, the government has sought time between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday from the Governor,” sources added.

On Sunday, when asked by presspersons about the Governor’s absence from Bengaluru, Chief Minister Shivakumar said that Mr. Gehlot would return on Monday.

Speculation has been rife about who would find a place in the expanded Cabinet, but party leaders have remained tight-lipped over the names. Sources said that the lists carried by Mr. Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are believed to have undergone changes as the party seeks to maintain a balance.

The Congress party faces a tricky task with over 50 legislators aspiring to become ministers. The decision must take into account regional, caste, and community equations. “One of the important criteria has been the winnable factor in the next elections and their influence in their region to help other party candidates win in the 2028 elections,” sources explained.

Competition is particularly intense among Muslim legislators from Bengaluru, which has emerged as a stress point with elections to five corporations in the Greater Bengaluru Authority region expected to be held shortly. Similarly, with the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president post going to B.K. Hariprasad, an OBC, demands for a higher share for Lingayats have emerged, and there are competing forces within the community. Some senior legislators are also lobbying for the post of Speaker.

The list has been drawn considering the posts of Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council, sources added. The expansion is expected to provide a fillip to the Congress government’s functioning and address internal factional concerns ahead of future electoral battles.