Fresh demand for cabinet reshuffle amid Congress power tussle in Karnataka

Bengaluru: Amid intensifying speculation over a power tussle within the ruling party in Karnataka, a fresh demand for cabinet reshuffle has surfaced, with 31 first-time Congress MLAs writing to the party high command seeking representation in the state ministry.

The move comes at a time when political circles are abuzz with discussions of internal equations between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar. In a joint letter addressed to senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal, the MLAs urged the leadership to undertake a cabinet reorganisation and induct at least five first-time legislators.

The letter, also marked to AICC in-charge for Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala, argues that the electorate has sent a clear message by electing 38 new Congress faces to the Assembly. “The people of Karnataka have expressed their aspiration to see new leadership and fresh energy in governance. It is therefore reasonable and justified to provide cabinet representation to first-time MLAs,” the letter states.

Signatories include Pradeep Eshwar, Bheemasena Chimmankatti, A.S. Ponnanna, Nayana Motamma, Devendrappa, Vishwas Vaidya, Iqbal Hussain, N.T. Srinivas, Ashok Kumar Rai, N. Srinivas, Nara Bharat Reddy, Prakash Koliwad, Manthar Gowda, Darshan Dhruvanarayana, Channareddy and Ravishankar, among others.

The MLAs pointed out that when the 34-member cabinet was constituted under the leadership of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, no first-time legislator was given a ministerial berth. They maintained that inducting young and dynamic lawmakers is the need of the hour and would strengthen the party’s image of transparent and accountable governance.

The legislators further argued that giving opportunities to newcomers is not unprecedented, noting that in several states first-time MLAs have been appointed as ministers and even chief ministers.

Stressing their commitment to Congress ideology, the MLAs said a balanced mix of youth and experience would ensure equitable development and enhance the party’s prospects in the 2028 Assembly elections. They expressed confidence that the high command’s “visionary leadership” would consider their plea during any forthcoming reshuffle.