Intense discussions are ongoing in New Delhi regarding the formation of the new Karnataka cabinet, while Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar’s swearing-in ceremony is set for Wednesday evening. The Congress high command is expected to finalize the list of ministers who will be sworn in alongside Shivakumar by Tuesday evening after a series of meetings involving senior party leaders.
Meetings have been taking place at the residence of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, attended by key figures like Rahul Gandhi, K.C. Venugopal, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Siddaramaiah, and D.K. Shivakumar. The party leadership aims to strike a balance between experienced leaders and new faces in the cabinet to enhance governance before the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections. Around eight to ten new faces are likely to be included in the cabinet, a move causing concern among some senior leaders.
The Congress is considering administering the oath to approximately 10 to 12 senior leaders in the initial phase on June 3, with a cabinet expansion anticipated after the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. Both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah have submitted their recommendations for cabinet positions to the party high command, with the central leadership reviewing the lists and finalizing the names based on inputs from both leaders.
Sources suggest that a majority of cabinet positions will be reserved for leaders aged 50-70, with around ten slots earmarked for first-time ministers. The Congress high command has conducted internal assessments and prepared a shortlist of potential cabinet inclusions and exclusions. Discussions have also revolved around the future leadership of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), currently led by D.K. Shivakumar.
Several Congress leaders from Karnataka are in New Delhi, actively lobbying for cabinet roles. Former Minister K.J. George mentioned that ongoing discussions are expected to culminate in the finalization of the cabinet list on Tuesday, ahead of the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday.
