DK Shivakumar Cabinet: UT Khader, Manjunath Bhandary Likely to Secure Ministerial Berths

DK Shivakumar Cabinet: Discussions are screening intensely within political corridors regarding the leaders set to join the upcoming cabinet of DK Shivakumar. In a notable shift from the Siddaramaiah-led government—where the coastal belt was left completely unrepresented in the ministry—the coastal region is now highly anticipated to receive a major boost.

Senior Congress leaders UT Khader and Dr. Manjunath Bhandary are reportedly frontrunners to secure key ministerial portfolios.

UT Khader Setup for a Cabinet Return:

UT Khader, a five-time MLA representing the Ullal (Mangaluru) constituency, brings significant administrative experience to the table, having already served as a minister thrice. He earned widespread acclaim during his tenure as the Health Minister.

Under Siddaramaiah’s chief ministership, he took up the constitutional role of the Legislative Assembly Speaker. Reports suggest that Khader will now step down from the Speaker’s chair to transition back into an active ministerial role.

The Congress party faces a crucial strategic need to grant representation to coastal districts. During Siddaramaiah’s tenure, no Congress leader from Dakshina Kannada or Udupi secured a cabinet berth. With an eye on the next assembly elections, the party leadership recognizes that regaining lost ground in the coastal stronghold is highly unlikely without local representation.

MLC Dr. Manjunath Bhandary in the Ministerial Race:

Known for his close political focus on coastal Karnataka, DK Shivakumar is expected to allocate an additional cabinet berth to the region. Eminent educationist and influential politician, MLC Dr. Manjunath Bhandary, is strongly tipped to join the cabinet.

There is a growing demand from grass-root Congress workers in the coastal districts to induct Bhandary into the ministry. He shot into the state’s political limelight during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when he was fielded from the Shivamogga constituency against BJP stalwart BS Yediyurappa. Despite the electoral loss, his political profile rose significantly.

In December 2021, Bhandary registered a resounding victory in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Local Authorities’ constituency for the Legislative Council. Securing a win by consolidating votes from local body representatives in a traditional BJP stronghold firmly established his organizational capability.

The Strategic Calculation:

Dr. Bhandary shares a very close rapport with the incoming Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, acting as a key strategist and internal advisor on coastal politics. Furthermore, he is a prominent leader representing the influential Bunt community in the region.

Previously, the absence of local ministers meant that outside district leaders had to be appointed as district in-charge ministers for Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. The current buzz within Congress circles indicates a strong push to appoint UT Khader as the district in-charge minister for Mangaluru (Dakshina Kannada) and Dr. Manjunath Bhandary for Udupi, thereby addressing long-standing local regional aspirations.