Bengaluru: With the govt set to cross the halfway mark of its five-year term in Nov, pressure is mounting on governing Congress to reshuffle the cabinet. Ministerial aspirants are urging state brass to initiate the process after Bihar’s assembly polls. Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka, last week met senior party functionaries in Bengaluru in the presence of chief minister Siddaramaiah. A section of legislators reportedly raised the issue of a cabinet reshuffle during the meeting. Speculation of a power-sharing pact, under which Siddaramaiah is expected to hand over the CM’s post to his deputy and KPCC president DK Shivakumar by Nov, is also intensifying. Supporters of Shivakumar are keen on both — his accession of the CM’s post, and a cabinet reshuffle to happen simultaneously. “I have said many times in the past that Shivakumar deserves to be the CM. It is long over-due,” said Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna. “However, the party president has strictly instructed us not to talk about it in public. We hope the high command will take a call soon.” When Siddaramaiah formed the govt in May 2023, he filled all 34 ministerial berths, leaving many aspirants disappointed. The party high command had indicated that those left out would be accommodated after 30 months by replacing 50% of ministers, a promise which aspirants now expect to be fulfilled. “It is natural for MLAs to aspire for ministerial berths,” said Naseer Ahmed, Siddaramaiah’s political secretary. “Party brass is aware of this and wants to ensure equitable opportunity for all. While it is the chief minister’s prerogative to induct ministers into the cabinet, he will consult the high command and decide.” Currently, there are two ministerial vacancies: B Nagendra resigned last June amid corruption charges, and KN Rajanna was sacked this month for criticising Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘vote theft’ claims. Scheduled Tribe legislators are demanding that both vacancies go to their community. Efforts by Siddaramaiah to reinstate Rajanna have not succeeded, and the latter has not even been granted a meeting with central party brass to present his case. Legislators from other communities, including Muslims and Dalits, are also seeking representation. Assembly speaker UT Khader and Congress chief whip in the council Saleem Ahmed are front-runners for the Muslim quota, while senior MLC BK Hariprasad is a contender for the OBC quota. “While the general understanding is that 50% of ministers would be replaced by fresh faces, discussions are on,” said Ahmed. “Being elected to the council thrice, I was supposed to be inducted into the cabinet in 2023. I represent Kittur Karnataka, which has not had a Muslim representation in the cabinet for the past 20 years. I hope it will get its due share.” Meanwhile, Shivakumar had an informal discussion with Rahul on cabinet and party restructuring during the Bihar Voter Adhikar Yatra. Reports suggest that Siddaramaiah is expected to visit New Delhi soon.
