Cabinet expansion likely to be delayed

With the Chief Minister busy preparing for the 100 days bash in the second week of September and for the legislature session convened in the third week of September, the filling of two vacant Cabinet posts has been put on the back burner for now, sources say. | Photo Credit: File Photo The upcoming celebrations to mark the completion of 100 days in office by the D.K. Shivakumar-led Congress government, followed by the three-day special session of the legislature, are expected to delay the party’s decision to fill the two vacant posts in the Cabinet.With the Chief Minister busy preparing for the 100 days bash in the second week of September and for the legislature session convened to discuss drought and the Kasturirangan report in the third week of September, the filling of the two posts has been put on the back burner for now, sources said. Also, Cabinet appointments — if done — could come along with certain additions to the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee headed by B.K. Hariprasad, which is yet to witness some key additions.“It is a political decision that should be made by the party’s Central leadership. Any move to fill the vacancies would have to address the women, the Kuruba and Valmiki angle, besides the question of accommodating former Minister and Vokkaliga legislator from Vijayanagar, M. Krishnappa,” government sources said. The Central leadership has to pave the way for a solution, and it would happen when the high command decides, sources added.While one post was kept vacant in light of the last-minute confusion over A.V. Gayatri Shanthegowda, MLC, the other has fallen vacant after B. Nagendra, who had been inducted during the expansion, resigned after sustained demand by the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular) over the multi-crore Valmiki Corporation scam. Though a Kuruba, Ms. Shanthegowda’s candidature is believed to have been opposed by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is learnt to be pushing for Byadagi legislator Basavaraj Neelappa Shivannanavar.While Mr. Shivakumar had earlier said that one woman would be accommodated in the Cabinet, the party seems to be in no hurry. The Chief Minister himself said that filling the woman quota in the Cabinet could wait.Party sources said that Sandur legislator E. Annapoorna, a first-time legislator whose husband, E. Tukaram, is a Member of Parliament from Ballari, was a likely candidate. “The vacancy caused by Mr. Nagendra’s resignation has to be filled by a Valmiki. Ms. Annapoorna fits both the Valmiki and woman quota,” sources said.The possible inclusion of Mr. Krishnappa, who is learnt to be miffed and has threatened to exit the party along with his son and Govindraja Nagar legislator, Priya Krishna, is now curiously being watched. His induction is speculated to come at the cost of a Vokkaliga Minister, who has to resign and make way for his entry into the Cabinet. Efforts to convince Mr. Krishnappa with an offer of the working president’s post in the party failed, since he is believed to be adamant about being made a Minister.Sources said working president posts in the party are being looked at to accommodate Mr. Nagendra and a Minister, should he resign from the Cabinet. Mr. Nagendra’s name is also doing the rounds to head the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board, sources said. “The buzz about the Cabinet expansion could die down in a few months since every legislator would go into election mode soon after the Budget session,” they added.Meanwhile, another source said: “After the smooth and powerful launch of Mr. Shivakumar as Chief Minister, the developments around Cabinet expansion took off steam. The party is also worried that it could stir up the hornet’s nest once again.” Published - September 07, 2026 07:21 pm IST