Karnataka Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar and caretaker Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are scheduled to meet the Congress high command in New Delhi on Monday to discuss cabinet appointments and other political developments in the state.
The two leaders will travel together from Bengaluru to Delhi for the meeting. Siddaramaiah’s son and Member of the Legislative Council Yateendra will also attend.
There is speculation that Yateendra may be considered for a position in the new cabinet. Some ministers from Siddaramaiah’s previous cabinet are unlikely to be retained, as new members are expected to be inducted.
Sources indicate that Siddaramaiah proposed the formation of a coordination committee in Karnataka, although the high command has yet to approve the suggestion. The discussion is also expected to cover appointments of Deputy Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Ministers.
A senior Congress source informed ANI that the party is considering an Other Backward Classes candidate for the position of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president. With DK Shivakumar poised to take oath as Chief Minister, the party aims to appoint a leader who can effectively integrate the organization with the government and deliver results in the 2028 assembly and 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing ANI, Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka Naseer Hussain stated that the party leadership will make necessary decisions on the transfer of power. He said, “The party will form the cabinet with due consideration to caste, community, social and regional balance in the state.”
He added, “The transfer of power in Karnataka has been very smooth. When he (DK Shivakumar) takes the oath, the Council of Ministers will also be sworn in. The high command will now decide how many leaders will be sworn in, and whether there will be Deputy CMs or not. Therefore, DK Shivakumar will be sworn in at Raj Bhavan on the 3rd at 4 pm, along with the Council of Ministers.”
On the appointment of the new PCC president, Hussain said, “It is clear that PCC President DK Shivakumar has become the Chief Minister of the state. Therefore, a new PCC President will also be appointed. Along with this, several new positions will also be created in the party. Now we have to see who will become a minister and who will be appointed. Keeping in mind the Assembly elections in 2028 and the Parliament elections in 2029, we will also form a Council of Ministers, keeping in mind caste, community, social balance, social justice, and regional balance. The PCC President will be selected accordingly, and several new positions will be decided keeping all these factors in mind.”
Regarding Siddaramaiah’s future role in state politics, Hussain remarked on the caretaker Chief Minister’s interest in remaining active at the state level. He noted that Siddaramaiah will remain an MLA and consult with the party high command before considering any national political role. “He (Siddaramaiah) will remain an MLA. He said he has always been interested in state politics. He said he never thought about national politics in that way. Now that he is such a senior leader, he will make a decision after consultation and coordination with the party high command. The more active he remains, the more it will help the Congress party and the government. DK Shivakumar also said he will work under his guidance,” Hussain said.
After serving three years as Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar is scheduled to assume office as Karnataka Chief Minister. The swearing-in ceremony will take place on June 3 at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru.
Comments are closed.