The Indian National Congress on Wednesday, 3 June described the induction of 13 ministers into the new Karnataka Cabinet, headed by newly sworn-in Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, as a 'good balance' of regional and community representation. The expansion, party leaders said, signals an attempt to stitch together a broad-based coalition of caste and regional interests as the state government enters the second half of its term.

What Congress leaders said

Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said the new line-up reflects a strong balance across regions and communities. 'The balance of the new Cabinet is very good,' he told reporters, adding that 'with 14 ministers, the Cabinet reflects a strong balance of representation in terms of regions and communities. From a leadership perspective, it is a good beginning.'

Shukla further said 'a sincere effort has been made to ensure representation for all sections of society.'

Ministers strike unity note

Karnataka Minister U.T. Khader, who was Assembly Speaker in the previous government led by Siddaramaiah, said the team would draw on the experience of senior leaders. 'Now the new Cabinet, under Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, has taken oath. I am happy to be a part of the Cabinet and we will work as a team, taking the suggestions and guidance of our former Chief Minister and former ministers as well,' he said after the swearing-in ceremony.

Newly sworn-in Minister Sharan Prakash Patil said Shivakumar had 'his own dreams for Bengaluru and Karnataka', adding that all ministers would back the Chief Minister because 'Congress always believes in development and pro-people policies.' He pledged efforts to 'bring transparency to the administration and provide people-friendly governance.'

Focus on poll promises

Veteran leader Ramalinga Reddy, who also took oath, said the government had already delivered on more than half of its election commitments under Siddaramaiah's earlier tenure. 'At the time of the elections, we promised so many things to the public. Out of that, we have already fulfilled more than 50 per cent under the leadership of Siddaramaiah. For the remaining promises, we still have two more years, and we will do them,' he said.

PM Modi extends wishes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated Shivakumar on taking oath as Chief Minister of Karnataka, a customary gesture that comes amid sharp political contestation between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress in the southern state.

What lies ahead

The Shivakumar-led Cabinet inherits a packed agenda — from delivering on the remaining guarantee schemes to managing Bengaluru's infrastructure stress and balancing factional equations within the state Congress unit. The next 24 months will test whether the new team can convert representational balance into governance outcomes ahead of the next electoral cycle.