The Karnataka government is racing to finalise Cabinet portfolios for its newly inducted ministers before the Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Legislature begins on 13 August, with the Congress high command actively deliberating the distribution in Bengaluru. Senior ministers on Tuesday, 11 August maintained that the allocation is expected to be wrapped up shortly.

High Command Holds the Reins

According to sources close to the process, the portfolio distribution is being steered at the top, with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal, and Karnataka in-charge AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala centrally involved in the deliberations. The final list is expected to receive high command approval before being handed to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

Sources indicated that CM Shivakumar has already submitted a proposed portfolio list to Venugopal, and a decision from the high command is expected imminently. The two-day window before the Assembly session has added urgency to the exercise.

Ministers Signal Imminent Resolution

Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, speaking to reporters in Koppal on Tuesday, expressed confidence that the portfolios would be allotted by Tuesday evening. 'Most probably, the Cabinet portfolios will be allotted by this evening. I will take up whatever portfolio is allotted to me and work. There is no question of any misunderstanding or confusion,' he said.

Tangadagi also sought to contextualise the delay, noting that portfolio allocation had similarly taken time during the tenure of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, and urged against reading too much into the current situation.

Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy, speaking in Kolar, was equally categorical. 'The session begins on August 13. The Cabinet portfolios will be allocated before that,' he said. Reddy acknowledged, however, that some internal friction was unavoidable. 'There will be some amount of dissatisfaction in the party. There cannot be complete understanding and peace everywhere,' he added.

Deputy CM Posts Back in Conversation

The portfolio delay has also reignited speculation over the possible creation of additional Deputy Chief Minister posts. PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, speaking in Belagavi, confirmed discussions had taken place but said no decision had been reached. 'The discussion regarding additional Deputy Chief Minister posts has taken place, but nothing has been finalised at present. The party may take a decision on this in the future. We will discuss it on the party platform and abide by whatever decision is taken,' he said.

Opposition Criticism Brushed Aside

Minister H.C. Balakrishna in Bengaluru dismissed the opposition's critique of the delay. 'BJP and JD(S) are there to criticise the Congress party. They are not there to praise us. What if all the portfolios are not allocated? Aren't we managing everything?' he said. Balakrishna added that he considered himself effectively responsible for all departments in his district and would be held accountable for developments there regardless of the formal portfolio assignment.

What Happens Next

Chief Minister Shivakumar had on Monday confirmed that portfolios would be assigned before the Assembly session, while indicating that broader Cabinet-related discussions would continue even after the session commenced. With the high command now reviewing the proposed list and the legislature set to convene in two days, the Congress leadership faces mounting pressure to end the uncertainty and give the newly inducted ministers formal charge of their departments.