A final decision on the long-delayed Karnataka Cabinet expansion is expected by Tuesday night, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on 28 July, even as ministerial hopefuls stepped up last-minute lobbying in Delhi. The swearing-in ceremony for new ministers is reportedly likely to be held on Thursday.

What Siddaramaiah Said

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah confirmed that a meeting was scheduled for Tuesday night at which all decisions would be taken. 'Everything will probably be finalised tonight,' he said. When pressed on the exact date of the expansion, however, he deferred to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, saying the matter falls within the CM's domain.

Siddaramaiah had arrived in Mysuru from Delhi on Tuesday morning to attend the death anniversary observance of his elder son, Rakesh Siddaramaiah, before returning to the national capital later in the day.

High-Level Deliberations in Delhi

Sources indicated that the final call on filling the 20 vacant berths in the Shivakumar-led Cabinet is being taken at a high-level meeting in Delhi, with Chief Minister Shivakumar remaining in the capital for consultations with the party high command. The key meeting is being held in the presence of All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of the former Chief Minister, confirmed in Belagavi that the high command had summoned key Karnataka leaders — including his father, Chief Minister Shivakumar, and other senior figures — to deliberate on the expansion. 'The matter will be discussed today, and the Cabinet will be expanded,' he told reporters.

If Rahul Gandhi approves the final list, the names are expected to be forwarded to the Governor's office, paving the way for the Cabinet expansion later this week.

The Aspirants and the Numbers

The list of probable ministerial candidates has reportedly been trimmed from 43 MLAs to 29 after factoring in caste and community considerations. The Congress high command is said to favour inducting new faces, while state leaders are believed to have pushed for the reinduction of several ministers who served in Siddaramaiah's previous Cabinet.

According to party insiders, of the 11 former ministers the high command had reportedly considered dropping, eight remain in contention while three have been excluded from the revised list. A formula of inducting 40 per cent new faces and retaining 60 per cent experienced leaders is reportedly being considered, according to five-time Congress MLA H.C. Balakrishna, who also sought representation for Ramanagara district.

Balakrishna, Zameer Ahmad Khan Among Aspirants

Balakrishna visited prominent temples — including the Nanjundeshwara Temple at Nanjangud and Chamundi Hills — offering special prayers amid the political uncertainty. Former minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmad Khan, another aspirant, maintained in Bengaluru that he had not lobbied in Delhi and would accept whatever decision the high command takes.

Zameer said he had expected to be included in the first list, but that the circulation of a purported audio clip had affected his prospects. He has filed a police complaint alleging the audio was generated using artificial intelligence; the matter is reportedly under investigation.

What Happens Next

With Tuesday night's meeting set to finalise names and the Governor's approval still required, the Karnataka Cabinet expansion — one of the most watched political exercises in the state this year — could be formally announced as early as Wednesday, with the swearing-in ceremony likely by Thursday.