3 weeks ago
Karnataka plans cabinet reshuffle to induct women ministers
A state government in India called Karnataka is led by a man named D.K. Shivakumar.
His team of helpers, called ministers, was made up only of men.
Many people were not happy about this and complained.
So the leader decided to fix it.
He plans to add women to his team.
He wants to add two or three women helpers.
To make room, he will take out one or two of the current helpers.
He talked to his party's big leaders in New Delhi to decide who to pick.
Some of the women who might join are Umashree, E. Annapoorna, and Kaneez Fathima.
The changes will come before a special meeting on Thursday, where leaders who didn't like the old team will ask questions.
Karnataka will reshuffle its cabinet to include two to three women ministers, a Congress source said on Monday.
The move follows backlash over the absence of women in the all-men cabinet led by D.K. Shivakumar.
One or two incumbent ministers will be dropped from the existing 33-member cabinet; the maximum strength is 34.
Shivakumar consulted Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal.
Likely inductees include actress-politician Umashree, E. Annapoorna, and two-time MLA Kaneez Fathima.
- Who
- The Congress-led Karnataka government under D.K. Shivakumar, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal involved in the consultations.
- What
- A planned cabinet reshuffle to induct two to three women ministers, with one or two incumbent ministers removed, to address criticism of the all-men cabinet.
- Where
- Karnataka, India; consultations were held in New Delhi.
- When
- Reported on Monday, ahead of the Karnataka Assembly session on Thursday.
- Why
- To respond to backlash from multiple quarters over the absence of women in the cabinet, an issue the Opposition plans to raise in the Assembly.
Key facts
- Government
- Congress-led Karnataka government headed by D.K. Shivakumar
- Planned inductions
- Two to three women ministers
- Current cabinet size
- 33 members (maximum strength 34)
- Planned removals
- One to two incumbent ministers
- Possible inductees
- Umashree, E. Annapoorna, Kaneez Fathima
- Consultations
- Talks with Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi and K.C. Venugopal
- Upcoming Assembly session
- Thursday; Opposition to raise women's absence issue
- Backdrop
- Backlash over all-men cabinet from multiple quarters
Quotes
Unnamed Congress source
Unnamed Congress source, presumably a party official
“Umashree, a nominated member in the Legislative Council, belongs to the Devanga community. Her name was originally proposed as deputy chairperson of the Council. She now has the chance of getting a cabinet berth.”
telegraphindia.com
