Karnataka Cabinet Expansion: Will accept MLAs’ resignations within minutes, CM Shivakumar issues stern warning to rebel MLAs

Bengaluru: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday issued a stern warning to disgruntled Congress legislators, saying he would immediately accept the resignation of any MLA unhappy over being denied a ministerial berth, as dissent continued to simmer after the Cabinet expansion.

"If anyone wants to resign, no one can stop them. If a resignation is submitted, I will accept it within moments. This is part of politics," Shivakumar told reporters.

The CM’s warning, according to party sources, is in line with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s message. Gandhi, sources added, has asked the CM to pacify disappointed legislators by accommodating them as chairpersons of boards and corporations with Cabinet rank.


Also read: 'Not possible to accommodate all, will provide opportunities in future': Karnataka CM Shivakumar after Cabinet expansion

The CM urged disappointed legislators to remain patient, recalling that both he and deputy chief minister G Parameshwara had been overlooked for ministerial positions in the past.

"Parameshwara and I were not inducted into the Cabinets headed by Dharam Singh and Siddaramaiah. Did we resign? Bangarappa was also denied a ministerial post during Veerendra Patil's tenure, yet he later became Chief Minister. Mallikarjun Kharge too had to wait," Shivakumar said.

He said political careers required patience and that the party should take precedence over individual ambitions.

"Above everything else, the party is important. If you want a political future, you must stand by the party," the CM said.

BOARD CHIEFS MUST RESIGN

Shivakumar also said all chairpersons and office-bearers of boards and corporations would be asked to resign as part of the government's planned restructuring. He reiterated that appointments to these bodies were always intended to be for two-and-a-half years, after which the party would review fresh appointments.

The Congress government, which assumed office on June 3, had functioned with 20 vacant Cabinet berths before Monday's expansion. After weeks of consultations with the party high command, 19 legislators were inducted, completing the ministry while leaving one vacancy.

The expansion, however, triggered resentment among several aspirants. About 45 legislators had lobbied for ministerial berths, but many senior leaders were left out.

The controversy intensified after the AICC made last-minute changes to the list of ministers. Bhatkal MLA Mankala Vaidya was replaced by Davanagere North MLA SS Mallikarjun shortly before the swearing-in, while MLC Gayathri Shanthe Gowda was dropped without any official explanation. Party sources attributed the changes to pressure from rival aspirants.

Sagar MLA Belur Gopalakrishna announced his decision to resign from the Assembly, while Indi MLA Yashavantharayagouda Patil submitted his resignation to the Speaker. Several other legislators threatened to resign from boards and corporations, and protests erupted in parts of the state. Supporters of some disappointed MLAs staged demonstrations, while a supporter of Mysuru MLA Tanveer Sait allegedly attempted suicide.

The Cabinet expansion also saw the Congress leadership finalise nominees for key legislative posts, including GS Patil as Speaker, AS Ponnanna as Deputy Speaker, Saleem Ahmed as Chairman of the Legislative Council and Umashree as Deputy Chairperson. The new ministry reflects a regional and community balance, with representation across major social groups while several ministers from the previous government were dropped.