Congress Karnataka Cabinet expansion details revealed: New faces get opportunity
The Congress on Monday announced the expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet, nearly two months after D.K. Shivakumar assumed office as Chief Minister along with an initial group of ministers.
The new list includes 20 legislators who are scheduled to take oath on August 3, filling all available Cabinet positions.
Among those selected are Laxman Savadi, Vijayanand Kashappanavar, Gayatri Shanthegowda, Magadi Balakrishna, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Ajay Singh, T. Raghumurthy, N. Chaluvarayaswamy, Shivaraj Tangadagi, Madhu Bangarappa, Rudrappa Lamani, Rizwan Arshad, Santosh Lad, K.M. Shivalinge Gowda, C. Puttarangashetty, S.S. Mallikarjun, Mankalu Vaidya, P.M. Narendraswamy, K.S. Basavanthappa and Basavaraj Rayareddy.
Ten of the inductees will serve as ministers for the first time, while seven leaders who served in the earlier Siddaramaiah government are making a return to the Cabinet.
The expansion follows weeks of discussions between the Karnataka leadership and the Congress high command, with Shivakumar making several visits to New Delhi to finalise the ministerial list.
The prolonged delay had sparked intense lobbying among aspirants and speculation over regional, caste and factional representation before the party finalised the complete Cabinet.