Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday, 22 June made clear that the decision on expanding the state Cabinet rests entirely with the Congress high command, and that his own role is limited to executing whatever list the party leadership approves. The remarks came during a meeting in Bengaluru with representatives of dargahs from 14 districts of North Karnataka, who called on him seeking a ministerial berth for senior MLC Salim Ahmed.

Shivakumar's Position on Cabinet Expansion

'The high command decides on Cabinet expansion. My responsibility is to implement the list they provide,' Shivakumar told the delegation. He added that the appeal for Salim Ahmed had been noted and would be conveyed to the party leadership in Delhi. This is consistent with the Chief Minister's established posture of deferring publicly to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) on sensitive appointments — a stance that allows him to manage competing community pressures without directly alienating any aspirant.

The Long Queue of Aspirants

Shivakumar acknowledged that the Cabinet reshuffle has become a pressure cooker, with leaders from virtually every major community in Karnataka lobbying for representation. He named an extensive list of aspirants: Santosh Lad and Srinivas Mane (backed by backward class leaders), Shivanna (Kuruba community), Lakshman Savadi (former Deputy Chief Minister), and legislators including Mahesh Koujalgi, Appaji Nadagouda, Shivanand Patil, Yashwant Patil, and J.S. Patil. Vokkaliga, Lingayat, Christian, Lambani, and Maratha community leaders have all reportedly put forward their preferred names.

'Some seers and community leaders are recommending different names. You are supporting Salim Ahmed. Similarly, leaders from the Vokkaliga, Lingayat and Christian communities are also putting forward their candidates. In such circumstances, political decisions become difficult,' he said.

Congress's Record on Minority Representation

Shivakumar used the occasion to highlight what he described as the Congress party's consistent track record of promoting minority leaders in Karnataka. He cited the nomination of Mansoor Ali Khan — son of senior Congress leader Rahman Khan — to the Rajya Sabha as evidence of the party's commitment. He also pointed to the election victories of MLA Iqbal Hussain in Ramanagara — fielded against the son of a former Chief Minister — and Yaser Ahmed Khan Pathan, who defeated Basavaraj Bommai's son in the last Assembly polls, as examples of the party backing minority candidates in difficult contests.

On Salim Ahmed specifically, Shivakumar said he had personally championed Ahmed's nomination to the Legislative Council despite internal resistance. 'Salim Ahmed, former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake and I were student leaders and have worked together in politics for many years,' he said, adding that Ahmed currently serves as Chief Whip in the present government and had earlier held the same role under former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna.

Power-Sharing and Party Unity

Shivakumar revisited the power-sharing arrangement that followed Congress's victory of 136 seats in the Karnataka Assembly elections, acknowledging he had expected to become Chief Minister but that the party leadership had instead decided he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would share responsibilities. He was emphatic that he did not want factionalism. 'We have only one group, the Congress group. We have only one religion, the Congress,' he said.

He noted that AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge had his own considerations and had, during the last Cabinet expansion, strongly recommended Rahim Khan for a ministerial position. On Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader, Shivakumar said Khader had sacrificed a ministerial role earlier to become Speaker and had since been given the Health Department portfolio as promised.

Hubballi Riots and Minority Welfare Plans

Shivakumar briefly addressed criticism over the government's withdrawal of cases linked to the Hubballi riots, saying the administration was prepared to face political heat in the interest of maintaining peace. He also indicated that new welfare initiatives targeting minorities, backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes were in the works, with details to be announced separately. 'I have a new vision for minority welfare,' he said, without elaborating further.

With Delhi yet to hold a final discussion with the Chief Minister on the reshuffle, the Karnataka Cabinet expansion remains in a holding pattern — and every community in the state appears to be watching.