Government withdraws ministerial status to BJP leader Bhukant after Congress backlash

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has withdrawn the ministerial status that was recently granted to BJP leader Bhukant following strong opposition from Congress party workers and leaders.

The controversial decision, which had triggered widespread resentment within the ruling party, was reversed on Tuesday amid mounting pressure. Earlier this week, the state government had issued an order granting cabinet rank status to 54 chairpersons of various corporations, boards and authorities.

Among them was Bhukant, the president of the Karnataka State Cooperative Horticulture Marketing Federation. The move immediately sparked outrage within Congress circles as Bhukant is known to be a BJP functionary.

Congress workers openly questioned why a leader associated with the opposition BJP was being honoured with a ministerial position by a Congress-led government. Protests erupted in several districts, with party cadres expressing anger against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for approving the decision.

The controversy intensified after it emerged that Bhukant’s wife had earlier served as a BJP-backed Zilla Panchayat member. This further fuelled allegations that the government was favouring opposition leaders while ignoring loyal Congress workers.

Facing severe criticism, the government finally decided to revoke the cabinet status granted to Bhukant. An official order was issued withdrawing the earlier notification, bringing an end to the political embarrassment for the ruling party.

The original government order had extended ministerial rank to all heads of corporations, boards and authorities, a privilege that was earlier limited only to legislators heading major corporations. While the broader decision itself did not face much opposition, the inclusion of a BJP leader in the list became a major point of contention.

Many Congress leaders argued that giving such a prestigious status to an opposition figure was an insult to party workers who had struggled for years to bring Congress back to power in the state. Several senior leaders conveyed their displeasure directly to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.

Former MP DK Suresh, brother of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, had also taken a sarcastic dig at his own government over the issue. Reacting to the decision, he had remarked, “Our party follows a policy of accommodating everyone – BJP, JDS and others.

Outsiders are given first priority and Congress workers come second.” His comments were seen as a clear expression of internal dissatisfaction. Political observers believe that the swift withdrawal of the order reflects the growing pressure from the party’s grassroots workers.

With local body elections and organisational challenges ahead, the Congress leadership did not want to risk further resentment among its cadre. The incident has once again highlighted internal coordination issues within the state government and the need for more cautious political decision-making.

While the controversy has been temporarily resolved, it has left behind questions about how such a sensitive decision was approved in the first place.

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