Karnataka Cabinet Portfolio Sharing May Be Finalised Today After DK Shivakumar Meets Kharge

The Karnataka Congress leadership is facing an important decision over the distribution of portfolios among ministers, with the delay continuing even after the recent cabinet expansion. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar travelled to Delhi and held a late night meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as efforts intensified to resolve the issue before the upcoming Assembly session.

The meeting has added fresh interest to the possibility of a final decision on portfolio allocation. According to reports, the Congress leadership is also discussing whether two or three ministers should be moved to different positions to accommodate the demands of senior legislators who were left out of the cabinet expansion.

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly session is scheduled to begin on August 13, increasing the pressure on the government to complete the portfolio distribution before proceedings begin. The government is expected to face questions on several departments during the session, making it important for ministers to have clear responsibility for their respective departments.

Shivakumar met Kharge at his residence in Delhi at around 11 pm on Sunday. After the meeting, the Chief Minister indicated that the final decision on portfolio allocation would be taken in consultation with the Congress high command. His comments suggested that discussions were still underway and that the state leadership was waiting for further direction.

The Chief Minister also played down concerns over the delay. Responding to questions about the time being taken to allocate portfolios, he pointed to previous governments and indicated that such decisions can sometimes take time. He also noted that the newly appointed ministers had already spent several days touring different areas and reviewing the situation on the ground.

The ministers had reportedly undertaken field visits to assess drought conditions and other issues affecting various parts of Karnataka. Shivakumar said the ministers had performed well during their visits and submitted their reports.

Despite the delay, the Chief Minister said the government would continue its work. He also indicated that there was no immediate urgency to fill the remaining vacant ministerial position. If required, he said, he could respond to questions concerning different departments during the Assembly session until the portfolios are formally assigned.

The uncertainty has also fuelled speculation about possible changes within the existing cabinet. Discussions are reportedly taking place over shifting the responsibilities of some ministers and making adjustments to the portfolios already allocated. Such changes could help the leadership accommodate senior Congress legislators who have expressed dissatisfaction after being left out of the expanded cabinet.

A final decision on these changes is expected to depend on approval from the party leadership. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is also likely to have a role in discussions concerning any significant changes to the ministerial arrangement.

Another issue being watched closely is the possibility of creating additional Deputy Chief Minister positions. The matter has reportedly been discussed within the party, although there has been no final confirmation regarding such a move.

Before leaving for Delhi, Shivakumar had also held discussions with former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The consultations indicate that the state leadership is attempting to reach an understanding before the Assembly session begins.

Meanwhile, competition for the Social Welfare Department has added another dimension to the portfolio discussions. Minister Shivraj Tangadagi and senior leader K H Muniyappa are reportedly interested in the department.

Tangadagi had already met Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi and held discussions with him. His meeting has attracted attention because of the ongoing speculation surrounding the allocation of important departments.

Muniyappa, who currently handles the Food Department, is also reportedly seeking a change. There is speculation that he is interested in the Social Welfare Department, making the portfolio one of the areas where the leadership may need to find a consensus.

The situation has therefore moved beyond a simple distribution of departments among newly inducted ministers. The Congress leadership is also attempting to balance the expectations of senior legislators, existing ministers and different political groups within the party.

For the Chief Minister, the timing is particularly important. With the Assembly session approaching, prolonged uncertainty over portfolios could become a political talking point for the opposition. The government will need ministers to take responsibility for departmental matters and respond to questions during the session.

Shivakumar is expected to return from Delhi and attend the Sadhane Sambhrama beneficiaries convention in Malur taluk of Kolar district. The programme is scheduled for 11 am, and there is considerable interest in whether the Chief Minister will return to Karnataka with a final portfolio list.

For now, the Congress high command has the final say on the proposed arrangement. If approval is received for the proposed changes, portfolio allocation could be completed soon. However, the possibility of further discussions remains open as the leadership works to balance administrative requirements with internal party expectations.

The coming hours are therefore likely to be closely watched in Karnataka political circles. The final decision will determine not only which ministers receive key departments but also how the Congress government approaches the upcoming Assembly session and manages dissatisfaction among leaders seeking a larger role in the administration.