Karnataka: AICC steps in as Congress battles aftershocks after Cabinet expansion

Bengaluru: The Congress high command on Wednesday deputed AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala to Bengaluru to help resolve competing claims over portfolios for the 19 newly inducted ministers, pacify disgruntled legislators and finalise the lone vacancy in the Karnataka Cabinet.

Surjewala joined Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in efforts to contain the political fallout from Monday's Cabinet expansion, which has triggered intense lobbying for key portfolios and resentment among MLAs denied ministerial berths.

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As part of the outreach, Surjewala visited the residence of senior MLA M Krishnappa. Both Krishnappa and his son, Govindarajanagar MLA Priya Krishna, are Congress legislators. Their supporters had staged a protest outside the party office on Tuesday over the family's exclusion from the Cabinet.

While the immediate threat of resignations appeared to ease, discontent persisted within the ruling party. Indi MLA Yeshwantharayagouda Patil withdrew his resignation, while Sagar MLA Belur Gopalakrishna did not follow through on his threat to quit the Assembly.

Fresh signs of unrest emerged in Chikkaballapur, where Congress MLAs from the district boycotted an official meeting convened by district in-charge minister Byrathi Suresh. The legislators protested the absence of representation for both Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts in the expanded Cabinet.

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The Congress also faces a challenge in the Legislative Council after its decision to nominate senior MLC Saleem Ahmed as Chairman met with resistance from incumbent Basavaraj Horatti. Sources said Horatti declined to step down after being informed of the party's decision by the CM. The Congress will now have to move a no-confidence motion and follow the prescribed legislative process before installing Ahmed.

Several unsuccessful ministerial aspirants also met KPCC president BK Hariprasad and the CM to convey their disappointment, even as supporters of some MLAs continued protests in parts of the state.

The final Cabinet berth also remains undecided. MLC Gayathri Shantana Gowda, whose name figured in the original list of ministers, was asked not to take oath at the last minute. Party sources said former CM Siddaramaiah was backing Byadagi MLA Basavaraj Shivannanavar for the vacancy.

Both Gowda and Shivannanavar belong to the Kuruba community. While Gowda's induction would have addressed both Kuruba and women's representation in the Cabinet, replacing her with a male MLA could invite criticism over gender representation. The party is expected to take a final call after Surjewala's consultations with senior leaders.

The Congress government, which took office on June 3, operated with 20 vacant Cabinet berths before expanding the ministry on Monday. One position continues to remain vacant.