Karnataka Cabinet portfolio allocation expected by Monday evening: Satish Jarkiholi
Synopsis
The Karnataka Congress government is racing against a self-imposed Monday evening deadline to allocate Cabinet portfolios to newly inducted ministers, even as internal dissent simmers — a prominent Dalit leader is reportedly unhappy, women MLAs are demanding representation, and a senior minister's Delhi visit has fuelled fresh speculation about Deputy CM posts.
Key Takeaways
PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi said Karnataka Cabinet portfolio allocation is expected to be finalised by Monday evening, 11 August .
Jarkiholi denied any discussion on creating additional Deputy Chief Minister posts, despite his own previously stated ambition for the role.
BJP MLC Basavaraj Horatti's resignation as Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council has been accepted; election for a new chairman will follow.
Harapanahalli MLA M.P.
Latha Mallikarjun demanded women's representation in the expanded Cabinet, citing six women MLAs and three women MLCs in the party.
Senior Congress leader H.C.
Mahadevappa is reportedly dissatisfied over portfolio allocation; CM D.K.
Shivakumar is expected to meet him within two days.
The portfolio row must be resolved before the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Legislature .
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi said on Saturday, 8 August that the allocation of Cabinet portfolios to newly inducted ministers in the Karnataka government is expected to be finalised by Monday evening. Jarkiholi made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, amid intense lobbying within the ruling Indian National Congress (INC) over departmental assignments.
What Jarkiholi Said
'By Monday, the allocation of Cabinet portfolios will take place. We expect the process to be finalised by Monday evening,' Jarkiholi told reporters. He also cautioned party leaders against issuing public threats or warnings, describing the current moment as inappropriate for such statements.
Jarkiholi played down speculation surrounding his recent visit to Delhi, calling it a casual meeting. He also denied any discussion on creating additional Deputy Chief Minister posts, saying, 'There is no discussion regarding the creation of more Deputy Chief Minister posts. Whenever the matter comes up, we will see.' Notably, Jarkiholi has previously expressed his own ambition to be elevated to the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
BJP MLC Resignation and Legislative Council
Jarkiholi also addressed the resignation of BJP MLC Basavaraj Horatti as Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council, confirming that the resignation had been accepted and that the process for electing a new chairman would commence shortly.
Women's Representation Demand
Harapanahalli MLA M.P. Latha Mallikarjun used the occasion to demand adequate representation for women in the expanded Karnataka Cabinet. 'There are six women MLAs and three women MLCs in the party. Women should get representation in the Cabinet. The state has a large population of women, and this issue has also been brought to the notice of Randeep Singh Surjewala,' she said.
Mallikarjun clarified that her demand was not personal. 'It is not that I am asking for a Cabinet post for myself. But if I am given an opportunity, I will take up the responsibility,' she added, calling for senior women legislators to be considered irrespective of individual preferences.
Mahadevappa Factor and Internal Congress Tensions
Behind the scenes, efforts are reportedly under way within the Congress to pacify senior leader and former minister H.C. Mahadevappa, who is said to be dissatisfied over the portfolio allocation process. Mahadevappa, a prominent Dalit leader and a close confidante of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, had openly backed Siddaramaiah during the earlier power tussle with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
According to sources, Shivakumar is expected to meet Mahadevappa within the next two days. Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy has reportedly urged Mahadevappa to remain patient while his concerns are being addressed. Jarkiholi is also said to have made a case for Mahadevappa before the Congress high command.
What's Next
Minister Laxman Savadi urged colleagues to refrain from publicly discussing portfolio allocations, calling it an internal government matter. 'Whatever portfolio is given, if it is handled successfully, that portfolio will get value,' Savadi said. With the Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Legislature approaching, the Congress government faces mounting pressure to resolve the portfolio standoff. All eyes remain on Chief Minister Shivakumar and the party high command as the Monday deadline draws near.
Point of View
Dalit representation through Mahadevappa, and women legislators demanding a seat at the table — all of which were predictable the moment the cabinet was expanded. That a senior minister had to make a personal trip to Delhi to lobby for a colleague's portfolio reveals how far portfolio decisions remain from the Chief Minister's office. With the Monsoon Session imminent, any further delay risks turning an internal party dispute into a legislative liability.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Karnataka Cabinet portfolios be allocated?
PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi said on 8 August that portfolio allocation is expected to be finalised by Monday evening, 11 August. The process covers departments being assigned to newly inducted ministers in the Karnataka government.
Why is there a delay in Karnataka Cabinet portfolio allocation?
The delay is attributed to intense lobbying within the Congress, with multiple factions pushing for preferred departments. Dissatisfaction among senior leaders, including former minister H.C. Mahadevappa, and demands for women's representation have added to the complexity.
Who is H.C. Mahadevappa and why does his dissatisfaction matter?
H.C. Mahadevappa is a senior Congress leader, former minister, and prominent Dalit voice in Karnataka, closely associated with former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. His reported unhappiness over portfolio allocation is politically significant given the party's reliance on Dalit support in the state.
What did Satish Jarkiholi say about the Deputy Chief Minister post?
Jarkiholi denied that any discussion on creating additional Deputy Chief Minister posts took place during his Delhi visit. However, he has previously expressed his own ambition for the role, making his denial a closely watched statement.
What is the demand raised by MLA M.P. Latha Mallikarjun?
Harapanahalli MLA M.P. Latha Mallikarjun demanded that women be given representation in the expanded Karnataka Cabinet, noting there are six women MLAs and three women MLCs in the Congress. She said the matter had been raised with senior party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala.
