Karnataka Cabinet Formation In Focus As Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah Hold Delhi Talks Today

Karnataka Chief Minister-designate D K Shivakumar and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah are scheduled to meet the Congress high command in New Delhi today to discuss the formation of the new state Cabinet, amid intense lobbying by aspirants for ministerial berths and deputy chief minister posts.

According to party sources, the two leaders are expected to hold detailed discussions with the Congress leadership on the swearing-in ceremony, Cabinet formation, portfolio allocation , and organisational issues, including the appointment of a new Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president .

The consultations come ahead of Shivakumar’s oath-taking ceremony as Chief Minister on June 3 . After being elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), Shivakumar met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at Lok Bhavan and formally staked claim to form the government. The Governor subsequently invited him to take oath as Chief Minister. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held at 4.05 pm on June 3 at the Lok Bhavan premises.

As discussions over the composition of the new ministry continue, several senior Congress leaders have stepped up efforts to secure positions in the government. Leaders including M B Patil, Dinesh Gundu Rao, and Madhu Bangarappa met Shivakumar at his residence, while several MLAs, including Sharan Prakash Patil, Raghavendra Hitnal, and Basanagouda Daddesh , are travelling to Delhi to meet the party leadership.

When asked how many ministers would take oath along with him, Shivakumar declined to speculate, saying the final decision would be taken by the party high command.

Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge clarified that no formal proposal regarding the size of the Cabinet or the creation of deputy chief minister posts had yet reached the party leadership. Speaking to reporters in Kalaburagi, Kharge said discussions would be held once a proposal is received and that the party would decide on the number of ministers, deputy chief ministers, and other key appointments after due consideration.

Kharge also indicated that the Cabinet could be formed in phases. He said the leadership was assessing various factors, including administrative capability, social representation, and regional balance, before finalising the ministry.

Speculation continues over the possibility of creating multiple deputy chief minister posts to accommodate different communities and regions. Former minister and Yamakanamaradi MLA Satish Jarkiholi said discussions on broader social representation in the government were expected to begin shortly, though he maintained that he had not sought any particular position.

Supporters of senior Congress leader M B Patil have been demanding a prominent role for the Lingayat leader, including the post of Deputy Chief Minister or KPCC president. Former minister K H Muniyappa and Cabinet aspirant M C Sudhakar also expressed confidence in the party leadership and said they would abide by whatever decision the high command takes.

Lobbying was also visible at the district level, with leaders from Kolar district seeking ministerial representation. MLAs S N Narayanaswamy and K Y Nanjegowda said they had urged Shivakumar to ensure adequate representation for Kolar and major communities such as Scheduled Castes and Vokkaligas .

With the oath-taking ceremony just days away, the Delhi meeting is expected to play a crucial role in determining the size, composition and social balance of the new Karnataka Cabinet.