Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Karnataka CM Shivakumar Softens, Pacifies MLAs Denied Ministerial Berths
Some lawmakers in the Indian state of Karnataka were very upset.
The Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, gave some people important government jobs, but not to everyone who wanted one.
A lawmaker named M. Krishnappa was sad he did not get the job he wanted.
His supporters got angry and blocked a road in Bengaluru city.
They shouted and said they would quit.
First, the Chief Minister said he would accept any resignations right away.
But then he changed his mind and took a friendlier approach.
He went to Krishnappa's house with other leaders to talk and make peace.
Another lawmaker, Yeshvanthray Gouda Patil, had resigned but later took back his resignation.
In the end, everyone started to calm down.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar softened his stance and visited Vijayanagar MLA M. Krishnappa's residence to pacify him after he was denied a ministerial berth.
Krishnappa's supporters staged a road blockade in Vijayanagar, Bengaluru, and threatened resignations and hurled abuses at the Chief Minister.
The cabinet expansion on Monday left Krishnappa and other MLAs without ministerial posts, prompting anger and protests.
On Shivakumar's request, Indi MLA Yeshvanthray Gouda Patil withdrew his resignation after being denied a ministerial berth.
Shivakumar was accompanied by AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, ministers and other leaders; ministers N. Cheluvarayaswamy and H.C. Balakrishna had tried to pacify Krishnappa a day earlier.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, disgruntled Congress MLAs led by Vijayanagar MLA M. Krishnappa, and party leaders including Randeep Singh Surjewala.
- What
- Shivakumar sought to pacify MLAs who were upset over being denied ministerial berths in the cabinet expansion, visiting Krishnappa's residence and persuading resignations to be withdrawn.
- When
- The cabinet expansion took place on Monday; Shivakumar's pacification drive, including the visit to Krishnappa, happened on Wednesday.
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, including Krishnappa's residence in Vijayanagar.
- Why
- MLAs who missed ministerial berths were angry and their supporters protested, prompting the Chief Minister to calm them and keep the party united.
Disgruntled MLAs and Supporters
Chief Minister and Party Leadership
Ministerial Berth Allocation
Disgruntled MLAs and Supporters
Krishnappa and his supporters felt he deserved a ministerial post; being denied one prompted protests, road blockades and threats of resignation.
Chief Minister and Party Leadership
The Chief Minister and the party went ahead with the cabinet expansion without a berth for Krishnappa, initially asserting he would accept resignations within minutes.
Handling of Protests
Disgruntled MLAs and Supporters
Krishnappa's supporters took to the streets, staged a road blockade and threatened to resign from party posts, hurling abuses at the Chief Minister; Krishnappa later said the protests were voluntary and not coordinated with him.
Chief Minister and Party Leadership
Shivakumar softened his stance, visited Krishnappa's residence with senior leaders to pacify him, and persuaded other MLAs such as Yeshvanthray Gouda Patil to withdraw their resignations.
- Chief Minister
- D.K. Shivakumar
- Upset MLA
- M. Krishnappa, Vijayanagar (Bengaluru)
- Trigger
- Denial of ministerial berth in cabinet expansion
- Cabinet expansion
- Monday
- Pacification visit
- Wednesday, at Krishnappa's residence in Vijayanagar
- Supporters' protest
- Road blockade in Vijayanagar, Bengaluru
- Resignation withdrawn
- Indi MLA Yeshvanthray Gouda Patil
- Other MLAs contacted
- S.R. Srinivas (Gubbi) and Dinesh Gundu Rao