Karnataka's cabinet expansion was overshadowed by fresh political buzz on Monday after former chief minister Siddaramaiah skipped the swearing-in ceremony
at Raj Bhavan, where Chief Minister DK Shivakumar inducted the new council of ministers. His absence sparked speculation of unease within the ruling Congress, even as his camp maintained that he was occupied with birthday engagements. While Siddaramaiah's personal assistant said the former chief minister could not attend the ceremony because he was tied up with birthday celebrations and prior commitments, party sources told Times Now that the veteran leader was unhappy over one specific decision in the cabinet expansion, the exclusion of MLC Gayathri Shantegowda. According to sources, Siddaramaiah had strongly backed Shantegowda's induction into the ministry and was disappointed after her name was dropped from the final list. However, sources clarified that his objection was limited to Shantegowda's omission and not the overall cabinet expansion. At the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Gehlot administered the oath of office in the presence of Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara. Newly inducted ministers, including Ajay Singh, took oath as members of the expanded cabinet. A prominent Kuruba leader and MLC, Gayathri Shantegowda was widely expected to find a place in the new ministry and was likely to be the only woman inducted into the cabinet. However, her name was reportedly dropped during the final round of deliberations. Her omission assumes significance as it came just days after the Karnataka High Court ruled in her favour in a four-and-a-half-year legal battle, declaring her the successful candidate in the Legislative Council election by setting aside the election of BJP leader MK Pranesh. The last-minute change has fuelled resentment within sections of the Congress, with several leaders expressing disappointment over the cabinet exercise.
Congress Grapples With Internal Dissent
The cabinet expansion has triggered discontent among aspirants who missed out on ministerial berths, leading to closed-door meetings, resignations from party posts and public expressions of dissatisfaction by some legislators.
Although Siddaramaiah's absence added to speculation of widening differences within the party, his office insisted there was no political message behind his decision to skip the event.
Amid the growing controversy, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar sought to calm tempers, saying it was impossible to accommodate every deserving leader in a single cabinet expansion.
Recalling his own political journey, Shivakumar said he too had once missed out on a ministerial berth during Siddaramaiah's tenure as chief minister before eventually being inducted into the cabinet.
"It is not possible to accommodate everyone. Even I had missed out earlier before becoming a minister later. Similarly, everyone will get an opportunity in the future," Shivakumar said, urging disappointed legislators to remain patient.
