3 weeks ago
Shivakumar assures Karnataka MLAs passed over in Cabinet expansion
Nobody likes feeling left out, not even grown-ups who work in government.
After a big event changed the team of people in charge of Karnataka, some leaders in a place called Kolar were upset.
Their area, and a nearby area called Chikkaballapur, did not get any of the new top jobs.
The person in charge, Chief Minister Shivakumar, went to talk to them.
He said that even without a top job, every lawmaker is still very important.
He also said the group should stay united and work together.
Some people in the group disagreed about who should get the jobs, and one leader even refused a thank-you ceremony at first.
Right now, there are no women in the top team, and the leader promised to fix that soon.
He said he cannot give everyone a top government job, but he will help them do their work.
Everyone is waiting to see what happens when the government meeting ends.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar told Congress MLAs in Kolar that "every MLA here is a chief minister and minister in terms of responsibility."
Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts were passed over for ministerial berths despite delivering seven of the 11 Assembly seats to Congress.
The August 3 Cabinet expansion inducted 19 new ministers but left the Cabinet with no women ministers.
Shivakumar said no further cabinet changes will happen until the legislative session concludes on August 27, with only portfolio allocations in the interim.
Opposition BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) plan to corner the government during the Monsoon Session starting August 13 over the absence of women ministers and a minister facing a CBI corruption probe.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and disgruntled Congress MLAs from Kolar and Chikkaballapur, including MLA S N Narayanaswamy; former chief minister Siddaramaiah also played a role.
- What
- Shivakumar tried to pacify lawmakers left out of the expanded Karnataka Cabinet, which inducted 19 new ministers on August 3 and currently has no women ministers.
- Where
- Kolar, Karnataka, India; Shivakumar also met the Congress high command in New Delhi.
- When
- The outreach happened Monday, after the August 3 Cabinet expansion; the legislative session runs until August 27, with the Monsoon Session starting August 13.
- Why
- Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts were passed over for ministerial berths despite delivering seven of the 11 Assembly seats to Congress, fueling resentment among local leaders.
Disgruntled legislators and Siddaramaiah camp
Chief Minister and party high command
Woman minister nomination
Disgruntled legislators and Siddaramaiah camp
Former chief minister Siddaramaiah backed actor and former minister Umashree for the Cabinet slot.
Chief Minister and party high command
The AICC list initially featured first-time MLC Gayathri Shantigowda for swearing-in; her induction stalled, leaving the Cabinet with no women ministers.
Kuruba leader inclusion
Disgruntled legislators and Siddaramaiah camp
Siddaramaiah pushed for the inclusion of Kuruba leader Basavaraj Shivannavar.
Chief Minister and party high command
Shivannavar's name was dropped at the last minute, and Shivakumar said cabinet changes must await the end of the legislative session.
Regional representation
Disgruntled legislators and Siddaramaiah camp
Leaders from Kolar and Chikkaballapur resent being passed over despite delivering seven of 11 Assembly seats to Congress.
Chief Minister and party high command
Shivakumar said it is not possible to give ministerial positions to every MLA and promised to empower them instead.
Key facts
- Chief Minister
- D K Shivakumar
- New ministers inducted
- 19 (August 3)
- Districts passed over
- Kolar and Chikkaballapur
- Assembly seats delivered by the two districts
- 7 of 11 to Congress
- Women ministers in Cabinet
- 0 (omission promised to be rectified)
- Legislative session concludes
- August 27
- Monsoon Session starts
- August 13
- Party in government
- Indian National Congress (AICC)
Quotes
D K Shivakumar
Chief Minister of Karnataka
““Every MLA here is a chief minister and minister in terms of responsibility.””
indianexpress.com







