Karnataka cabinet formation: Protests, prayers erupt as Congress weighs Deputy CM picks
Synopsis
From temple prayers to dargah rituals to street protests, Karnataka Congress supporters are pulling every lever to secure cabinet berths for their leaders. With D.K. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah both in New Delhi for high command talks, the scramble for Deputy CM posts and ministerial slots is playing out simultaneously in the streets and in the corridors of power.
Key Takeaways
Shivakumar and caretaker CM Siddaramaiah travelled to New Delhi on Monday for cabinet formation talks with the Congress high command.
Dalit community members protested outside the KPCC office in Bengaluru , demanding a Dalit Deputy CM — naming G.
Muniyappa , and H.C.
Congress workers offered prayers at Veerabhadreshwara Temple in Chittapur taluk for Priyank Kharge to be appointed Deputy CM.
Supporters of BDA Chairman N.A.
Harris broke 108 coconuts at the Adishakti Temple in Bengaluru, seeking him a cabinet berth.
Prayers were offered at Hazrat Sheikh Shavali Dargah in Bagepalli for three-time MLA S.N.
Subbareddy to receive a ministerial post.
The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday , with the cabinet list expected to be finalised before then.
As the Indian National Congress high command in New Delhi finalises the composition of the new Karnataka cabinet, supporters of multiple senior leaders staged protests and offered special prayers across the state on 1 June, demanding Deputy Chief Minister and ministerial berths for their preferred candidates. The demonstrations reflect the intense factional pressure bearing down on the party leadership ahead of the oath-taking ceremony.
High Command Huddle in New Delhi
Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar and caretaker Chief Minister Siddaramaiah travelled to New Delhi on Monday to hold direct consultations with the Congress high command on cabinet composition. The two leaders, whose rivalry has defined the post-election power negotiation, are expected to present their respective lists of preferred ministers before a final decision is taken.
Dalit Community Demands Representation
Members of the Dalit community staged a demonstration outside the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office in Bengaluru, pressing the party to appoint a Dalit leader as Deputy Chief Minister. The protest was led by Dalit leader K. Venkataswamy, with demonstrators specifically naming senior leaders G. Parameshwara, K.H. Muniyappa, and H.C. Mahadevappa as suitable candidates for the post. Protesters urged the high command to ensure adequate Dalit representation in the new government alongside Shivakumar.
Temple Prayers for Priyank Kharge and N.A. Harris
Congress workers organised special prayers at the Veerabhadreshwara Temple in Halkarti village, Chittapur taluk, seeking the appointment of Minister Priyank Kharge as Deputy Chief Minister. Supporters cited his development record and administrative experience as grounds for elevation.
In Bengaluru, supporters of Shantinagar MLA and BDA Chairman N.A. Harris gathered at the Adishakti Temple at the GBA headquarters, performing rituals that included breaking 108 coconuts. Former Dharmaraya Swamy Temple President K. Satish, who led the ceremony, said Harris had performed commendably in his role. 'Harris has done excellent work as BDA Chairman. He helped secure funds for the Karaga Kalyani project and supported temple activities whenever financial assistance was required. We are praying that he receives a ministerial berth or the post of Deputy Chief Minister,' Satish said. He added that devotees hoped Harris would be included in the new government when Shivakumar takes oath on Wednesday.
Prayers at Dargah for Bagepalli MLA
In Chikkaballapur district, Muslim community leaders and Congress workers offered prayers at the Hazrat Sheikh Shavali Dargah in Bagepalli town, seeking a ministerial berth for Bagepalli MLA S.N. Subbareddy. Congress leader Mohammed Noorulla and several religious leaders participated. Supporters argued that despite the constituency's long political history, Bagepalli had not received adequate cabinet representation. Subbareddy is a three-time Congress MLA from the assembly constituency, making him among the more prominent names being lobbied for inclusion.
What Happens Next
The Congress high command is expected to finalise the cabinet list before the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for Wednesday. The competing demands — from Dalit groups, regional communities, and individual MLA camps — underscore the complexity of balancing caste arithmetic, factional loyalty, and governance credibility in a state where the party has just secured a decisive mandate. How the leadership navigates these pressures will set the tone for the new government's early days.
Point of View
Prayers at dargahs, street protests outside the KPCC — are less spontaneous outpourings and more organised pressure campaigns, a routine feature of Indian coalition and factional politics. What they reveal is the Congress high command's real challenge: the party won Karnataka on a wave of anti-incumbency, but now faces the same caste-arithmetic and patronage demands that have historically weakened state governments before they even take office. The Dalit Deputy CM demand is particularly pointed — it signals that communities that voted Congress expect structural representation, not just symbolic inclusion. How the high command balances Shivakumar's organisational claim, Siddaramaiah's legislative weight, and the competing caste blocs will be the first real test of whether this majority translates into stable governance or factional paralysis.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the leading candidates for Deputy Chief Minister in the new Karnataka cabinet?
Dalit community groups have demanded that senior leaders G. Parameshwara, K.H. Muniyappa, or H.C. Mahadevappa be appointed Deputy Chief Minister. Separately, supporters of Priyank Kharge and N.A. Harris have also lobbied for the post or senior cabinet berths.
Why are Congress supporters staging protests and offering prayers over cabinet posts?
With the Congress high command finalising the Karnataka cabinet ahead of the Wednesday oath ceremony, factional groups and community organisations are publicly signalling their preferred candidates in a bid to influence the final list. Such demonstrations are a common feature of Indian state cabinet formation, particularly after decisive election wins.
When is D.K. Shivakumar set to take oath as Karnataka Chief Minister?
The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, according to reports. Shivakumar and caretaker CM Siddaramaiah travelled to New Delhi on Monday to finalise the cabinet composition with the Congress high command before the ceremony.
What is the Dalit community demanding in the new Karnataka government?
Dalit community members staged a protest outside the KPCC office in Bengaluru, demanding that a Dalit leader be appointed Deputy Chief Minister. They specifically named G. Parameshwara, K.H. Muniyappa, and H.C. Mahadevappa as suitable candidates.
Who is S.N. Subbareddy and why are his supporters lobbying for a cabinet berth?
S.N. Subbareddy is a three-time Congress MLA from the Bagepalli Assembly constituency in Chikkaballapur district. His supporters argue that despite Bagepalli's long political history, the constituency has not received adequate cabinet representation in past Karnataka governments.
