Congress Weighs Portfolio Shuffle As Shivakumar Holds Delhi Talks

Bengaluru: The Congress high command is weighing changes to Karnataka’s ministerial portfolios amid continuing dissatisfaction among senior legislators who were denied Cabinet berths, even as Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar held talks with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi.

Shivakumar travelled to the national capital on Sunday night and met Kharge at his Rajaji Marg residence at around 11 pm. The meeting assumed significance as the state government is yet to distribute portfolios to several newly inducted ministers, nearly a week after the Cabinet expansion.

The delay has become a political challenge for the Congress leadership with the Karnataka legislature scheduled to meet from August 13. Shivakumar has been holding consultations with party leaders to settle the issue and prevent the dissatisfaction among senior MLAs from escalating.

After meeting Kharge, Shivakumar said the high command would decide what needs to be done regarding the portfolios. He indicated that there was no immediate necessity to complete the exercise before the Assembly session and said he could handle questions relating to departments if required.

However, behind the scenes, discussions are reportedly focused not only on the distribution of portfolios but also on possible changes in the ministerial team. Sources said the leadership is considering replacing two or three ministers to create space for some senior legislators who have expressed disappointment over being left out of the expansion.

The Congress is also examining the possibility of swapping some portfolios among existing ministers. A proposal to create additional Deputy Chief Minister positions could also be discussed with the high command.

The Social Welfare portfolio has emerged as another point of contention. Ministers Shivaraj Tangadagi and K.H. Muniyappa are reportedly lobbying for the department. Tangadagi met Kharge in Delhi, while Muniyappa has also sought discussions with the Congress leadership.

Shivakumar had met former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah before leaving for Delhi, adding to speculation about the discussions on Cabinet management and portfolio allocation.

The Chief Minister is expected to return to Karnataka on Monday and participate in a government beneficiaries’ convention in Malur. The Congress leadership is now under pressure to settle the portfolio issue before the Assembly session and prevent the Cabinet reshuffle from triggering further internal dissent.

The final allocation is likely to provide an indication of how the Congress high command intends to balance regional representation, seniority and competing demands within the Karnataka unit.