Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday, 22 July confirmed that the much-anticipated Cabinet expansion has been deferred, stating that the Congress high command will take the final call on new ministerial appointments. Shivakumar made the remarks at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi, citing 'unavoidable circumstances' for the postponement of a meeting that had been scheduled for the day.

Why the Expansion Was Delayed

The Karnataka government had already secured the Governor's approval to expand the Cabinet and hold a swearing-in ceremony for new ministers on Wednesday. However, a meeting among senior Congress leaders planned for Tuesday night could not proceed after several party leaders, including Shivakumar, were briefly detained during a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence. 'The discussion will take place once they arrive,' Shivakumar said, indicating the exercise would resume after the detained leaders returned.

What the Congress High Command Will Decide

'Our party's high command is supreme. They seek our opinion and then take a decision. They will decide after considering new faces and regional and district-wise representation,' Shivakumar told reporters. He confirmed that senior leaders — including Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Hariprasad — had been collectively deliberating on the matter, following the same process used during Siddaramaiah's earlier government.

Responding to questions about Rahul Gandhi reportedly laying down specific criteria for Cabinet appointments, Shivakumar said such matters were not discussed in public. He also pushed back against the notion that only sitting MLAs could be considered, citing past precedents: 'Wasn't Congress MLC Boseraju made a minister even though he was not an MLA? Wasn't Chandrashekar chosen during Krishna's government?'

Shivakumar on Vacant Ministerial Posts

Asked whether all 20 vacant ministerial positions would be filled, Shivakumar said he could not confirm the number but expressed a preference for filling every seat. 'There is no point in keeping them vacant. The posts of Chief Whip, Chairman of the Legislative Council and Speaker also need to be filled,' he said. He added that he was personally ready to finalise the list without delay: 'If I am given the opportunity today, I am ready to finalise the list today itself.'

On the question of younger leaders, Shivakumar said all 136 MLAs and Legislative Council members were equally deserving in his view. 'I desire to give opportunities to young leaders. We must follow the guidance given by the Delhi leadership,' he said.

Detention During Protest, NEET Row in Focus

Shivakumar also recounted the events at the protest outside the Prime Minister's residence, where he was briefly detained alongside other Congress leaders. He said Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi intervened when police attempted to remove him: 'When the police attempted to drag me, LoP Rahul Gandhi warned them not to touch a Chief Minister. He later requested me to step aside, and I did so.'

The protest was linked to the NEET paper leak controversy, which Shivakumar said had 'shattered the dreams' of more than 2.5 million students who had prepared for the examination. He demanded that Union Ministers resign and called for justice to be delivered to the affected students. 'The future of India rests on its young students,' he said.

With the Congress high command expected to convene shortly, the Karnataka Cabinet expansion — one of the most closely watched political exercises in the state this year — is now likely to take shape within the next few days.