Karnataka CM Shivakumar Faces Growing Dissent After Cabinet Reshuffle

The Karnataka Congress is battling mounting internal unrest after Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's cabinet expansion left several ministerial aspirants disappointed, triggering protests, resignation threats and fresh pressure on the party leadership.

Supporters of overlooked legislators staged demonstrations across the state, blocking roads, burning tyres and demanding local bandhs. The long-awaited expansion, instead of settling political equations, has exposed widening fault lines within the ruling party.

Among the strongest reactions came from MLA Yashavantarayagouda V Patil, who submitted his resignation as legislator, while Sagara MLA Belur Gopalakrishna said he was considering stepping down after consulting supporters.

Responding firmly, Shivakumar warned that any resignation would be accepted immediately, asserting that the party's interests come first. At the same time, he appealed to disappointed legislators to remain patient, assuring them that appointments to state-run boards and corporations would be made soon.

State Congress President B K Hariprasad, however, struck a conciliatory tone, saying he would persuade any party member contemplating resignation to reconsider.

Adding to the discontent, Gubbi MLA S R Srinivas announced he would resign as chairman of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, alleging that honest politicians without influential backing struggle to progress.

Senior leaders T B Jayachandra and Dinesh Gundu Rao also voiced disappointment over their exclusion from the ministry, while Jayachandra said he was weighing whether to accept his appointment as pro-tem Speaker.

Protests erupted in Bengaluru, Gadag, Koppal, Bangarpete, Honnali and other regions as supporters demanded cabinet representation for their leaders. Legislators from Kolar and Chikkaballapura districts also expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of ministerial representation.

Speculation has meanwhile intensified that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is unhappy after several leaders reportedly backed by him failed to secure cabinet berths. Although his absence from Monday's swearing-in ceremony fuelled rumours, both Shivakumar and Yathindra Siddaramaiah insisted he skipped the event only because it coincided with his birthday. The ministry now has one vacant berth, leaving room for future political adjustments.