Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Shivakumar visits Dinesh Gundu Rao amid Karnataka Cabinet portfolio wait
In the Indian state of Karnataka, some new government leaders are waiting to find out what jobs they will get.
Nineteen ministers were officially sworn in on August 3, but they have not yet been told which departments they will lead.
The leader of the state, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, is trying to keep everyone calm and happy.
A former health minister named Dinesh Gundu Rao was not chosen for the new team.
Mr. Rao was a little upset about being left out, and so were some other senior leaders.
So the Chief Minister went to Mr. Rao's home to talk with him in a friendly way.
Two other ministers, Priyank Kharge and Ajay Singh, came along for the visit.
Mr. Rao said the meeting went well and that he is still loyal to his party, the Congress.
The Chief Minister is also planning another trip to Delhi to get approval for the new jobs.
Nineteen Karnataka ministers sworn in on August 3 are still awaiting their portfolios.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar visited former minister Dinesh Gundu Rao's home on Sunday as part of outreach to legislators who missed Cabinet berths.
Ministers Priyank Kharge and Ajay Singh accompanied Shivakumar on the visit.
Rao, who served as Health Minister under Siddaramaiah, was dropped from the new Cabinet formed by Shivakumar.
Rao, along with senior leaders M Krishnappa and H K Patil, has expressed reservations, though Rao said he remains loyal to the party.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, former Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and Congress leaders Priyank Kharge, Ajay Singh, M Krishnappa and H K Patil.
- What
- Shivakumar is reaching out to Congress legislators left out of the Cabinet while 19 newly sworn-in ministers wait for portfolio allocation.
- When
- On Sunday, after 19 ministers were sworn in on August 3.
- Where
- Dinesh Gundu Rao's home in Karnataka; Shivakumar also plans another trip to Delhi.
- Why
- Several senior leaders, including Rao, M Krishnappa and H K Patil, expressed reservations after being excluded from the ministerial list released by the Congress leadership.
Congress Leadership
Dropped Legislators
Cabinet formation
Congress Leadership
The Congress leadership released a ministerial list for the new Cabinet that excluded several senior leaders, including Dinesh Gundu Rao, M Krishnappa and H K Patil.
Dropped Legislators
The dropped leaders expressed reservations about not featuring in the ministerial list despite their seniority and experience in government.
Managing dissent
Congress Leadership
The Chief Minister's outreach visits and Delhi trip aim to contain discontent and secure approval for new portfolios.
Dropped Legislators
Rao declined to comment on losing his Cabinet berth but insisted 'We are all loyal to the party,' even as dissatisfaction among excluded MLAs continues.
- Number of ministers sworn in
- 19 (on August 3)
- Chief Minister
- D K Shivakumar
- Status of portfolios
- Not yet assigned
- Former minister dropped
- Dinesh Gundu Rao
- Rao's previous role
- Health Minister in Siddaramaiah's government
- Ministers accompanying Shivakumar
- Priyank Kharge and Ajay Singh
- Leaders with reservations
- M Krishnappa, H K Patil
- Rao's comment
- "We are all loyal to the party"