Internal disagreements regarding Cabinet allocation in Karnataka persist despite efforts by the party high command. Some ministers have not yet taken charge of their assigned portfolios. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara has expressed dissatisfaction for not being made Chief Minister on three occasions. Even after intervention by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, the issues remain unresolved.
Senior leader Krishna Byre Gowda, assigned the Bengaluru Development portfolio, is reportedly unhappy as key agencies like the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) are excluded. Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who initially announced resignation over portfolio denial, is also awaiting a response from the high command before assuming charge.
Party sources mention that senior leaders have held extensive meetings to convince eight-time MLA Ramalinga Reddy, assuring him of an additional portfolio. Currently, 13 ministers, along with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, form the 14-member Cabinet. There is a possibility of filling up to 20 more Cabinet positions, leading to intense lobbying among senior leaders for ministerial roles.
Rahul Gandhi has directed the induction of at least 10 new faces into the Cabinet, causing discontent among some senior leaders while motivating younger MLAs. The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) has allocated rooms to the 13 ministers in Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha. Ramalinga Reddy, who was earlier denied the Bengaluru Development portfolio, has been allotted rooms 335, 336, 337, and 337A.
Former minister Zameer Ahmad Khan, who missed a Cabinet berth, is reportedly upset over his exclusion. Amid demands for his induction from community leaders, rumors circulate about his connections to the Deve Gowda family. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is engaging with the public through various initiatives, including free bus travel for students and addressing long-pending issues related to Occupancy Certificates (OC) and Completion Certificates (CC).
