Rahul Gandhi pushes for younger faces as Karnataka Cabinet expansion nears

The Congress high command is likely to clear Karnataka's Cabinet expansion on Wednesday, with AICC leader Rahul Gandhi pushing for greater representation for younger leaders and women in the ministry, party sources said.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Gandhi in Delhi on Tuesday to finalise the list of new ministers.

The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held later this week, although party sources said it remains unclear whether Gandhi will attend.


Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said promoting young leaders was expected to be one of the key considerations in the expansion.

"I have heard that the leadership will discuss the criteria for the expansion. One of the considerations is to provide greater representation to younger leaders," he told reporters.

"When I was KPCC president, one of the criteria was to promote new leadership while forming the Cabinet. I believe that principle continues to apply," he added.

Party sources said Gandhi has also advised the Chief Minister to ensure better representation for women and leaders from backward classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and minority communities.

Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi said another MLA from Belagavi district was likely to find a place in the expanded ministry.

Several ministerial aspirants have camped in New Delhi over the past few days, meeting senior party leaders in a last-minute bid to secure a berth.

Sources said Shivakumar could leave two Cabinet berths vacant to provide flexibility in managing future political contingencies.

The expansion has triggered anxiety among senior legislators amid indications that a significant share of the vacancies could go to first-time ministers and younger MLAs. Around 50 legislators are said to be in the race for nearly 20 vacant Cabinet positions.

The government is keen to complete the exercise before the monsoon session of the legislature, scheduled to begin on August 6.