Karnataka cabinet talks shift to Delhi; Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah meet Congress high command
Synopsis
Karnataka's cabinet-making has moved to Delhi, with CM-designate D.K. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah flying in together for Congress high command talks. The first batch of 10-12 ministers — carefully balanced across OBC, SC, ST, Vokkaliga, Muslim, and Lingayat communities — is set to be sworn in on 3 June, even as Siddaramaiah pushes for three Deputy CMs and a Rajya Sabha offer to his wife Parvathi quietly surfaces.
Key Takeaways
Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah flew to New Delhi on 1 June for Congress high command consultations on cabinet formation.
The first phase is expected to include 10 to 12 ministers , with swearing-in tentatively set for 3 June .
Proposed caste composition includes two OBC , two SC , one ST , two Vokkaliga , one Muslim , and two Lingayat leaders.
Siddaramaiah's camp is reportedly pushing for at least three Deputy Chief Ministers to ensure community representation.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reportedly offered a Rajya Sabha seat to Siddaramaiah's wife Parvathi ; the offer was politely declined, according to party insiders.
A two-phase cabinet expansion is planned, with remaining berths to be filled after Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections.
Karnataka Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar and caretaker Chief Minister Siddaramaiah flew to New Delhi on Monday, 1 June for high-level consultations with the Congress high command on the composition of the new Karnataka state cabinet. The exercise to finalise the ministerial lineup has effectively shifted from Bengaluru to the national capital.
Key Developments
The two senior leaders travelled to Delhi on the same flight. All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge had already departed from his residence in Bengaluru earlier in the day. Siddaramaiah's son and Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) Yathindra Siddaramaiah, along with former Minister H.C. Mahadevappa — a close associate of Siddaramaiah — also reached the capital.
According to party sources, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala have already held preliminary consultations with both leaders and have reportedly finalised an initial list of ministers.
Cabinet Composition in the First Phase
Sources indicate the first phase of cabinet formation is likely to include around 10 to 12 ministers, including the Chief Minister. The proposed social composition of this initial batch is expected to reflect the state's caste arithmetic: two Other Backward Classes (OBC) leaders, two Scheduled Caste (SC) leaders, one Scheduled Tribe (ST) leader, two Vokkaliga leaders, one Muslim representative, and two Lingayat leaders. The swearing-in ceremony for the first batch is tentatively scheduled for 3 June.
The Congress leadership is reportedly considering a two-phase cabinet expansion, with the remaining ministerial berths to be filled after the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. Supporters of Siddaramaiah are expected to secure a significant share of positions in the first phase, according to party insiders.
Siddaramaiah Pushes for Multiple Deputy CMs
Siddaramaiah is reportedly pressing strongly for the creation of additional Deputy Chief Minister posts. Discussions at his residence suggest his camp believes at least three Deputy Chief Ministers should be appointed to ensure adequate caste and community representation across the government.
Rahul Gandhi's Rajya Sabha Offer to Parvathi
A notable development has emerged from the consultations: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reportedly offered a Rajya Sabha seat to Parvathi, wife of Siddaramaiah, after Siddaramaiah himself declined to move into national politics. According to Congress insiders, Siddaramaiah politely declined the proposal on her behalf as well. The reported offer underscores the high command's effort to accommodate Siddaramaiah's camp even as the cabinet negotiations continue.
What Happens Next
Several ministerial aspirants have already converged on New Delhi as consultations intensify. The Congress high command is expected to scrutinise the final list, weighing district-wise and community-wise representation before approving the cabinet lineup. The outcome of these Delhi deliberations will set the political tone for the new Congress government in Karnataka.
Point of View
But their camps are competing for the same finite pool of portfolios — and the high command's role as arbiter is more visible here than in most state formations. The reported push for three Deputy Chief Ministers is a classic Siddaramaiah move: institutionalise caste representation structurally so that his community allies have guaranteed seniority regardless of portfolio. The Rajya Sabha offer to Parvathi, quietly surfacing and quietly declined, hints at how much political capital the high command is willing to spend to keep Siddaramaiah's camp satisfied — and how carefully Siddaramaiah is managing his own leverage.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have Karnataka cabinet talks shifted to New Delhi?
The exercise to finalise the Karnataka cabinet composition has moved to New Delhi so that CM-designate D.K. Shivakumar and caretaker CM Siddaramaiah can consult directly with the Congress high command, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior organisational leaders. The central leadership is expected to approve the final ministerial list after weighing district-wise and community-wise representation.
When is the Karnataka cabinet swearing-in ceremony likely to be held?
The swearing-in ceremony for the first batch of Karnataka ministers is tentatively scheduled for 3 June, according to party sources. This first phase is expected to include around 10 to 12 ministers, including the Chief Minister.
What is the proposed caste composition of the Karnataka cabinet's first batch?
The proposed social composition includes two OBC leaders, two SC leaders, one ST leader, two Vokkaliga leaders, one Muslim representative, and two Lingayat leaders, reflecting the state's complex caste arithmetic.
Why is Siddaramaiah pushing for multiple Deputy Chief Ministers in Karnataka?
Siddaramaiah's camp reportedly believes that appointing at least three Deputy Chief Ministers is necessary to ensure adequate caste and community representation across the new Karnataka government. This is seen as a structural way to guarantee seniority for key community allies.
What is the reported Rajya Sabha offer linked to Siddaramaiah?
According to Congress insiders, Rahul Gandhi reportedly offered a Rajya Sabha seat to Parvathi, wife of Siddaramaiah, after Siddaramaiah declined to enter national politics himself. Siddaramaiah is said to have politely declined the proposal on her behalf as well.
