Karnataka Cabinet Expansion Exposes Congress Rift, Claims LoP R. Ashoka

Bengaluru, Aug 2026 : Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Monday alleged that the Congress government’s long-awaited Cabinet expansion had exposed deep divisions within the ruling party, with several legislators and their supporters expressing anger over the distribution of ministerial berths.

Ashoka claimed that the reshuffle had triggered resentment among Congress leaders and workers across the state, with some legislators threatening resignation after being excluded from the expanded ministry.

The BJP leader said Indi MLA Yashavantharayagouda had resigned following his exclusion from the Cabinet, while Sagar MLA Belur Gopalakrishna had announced that he would submit his resignation on Tuesday. Their decisions, Ashoka said, reflected growing dissatisfaction among Congress legislators who believed they had been overlooked despite their contribution to the party.

He also referred to the reported disappointment of senior Congress MLA Tanveer Sait, who allegedly questioned the decision-making process of the party high command. According to Ashoka, Sait expressed displeasure over ministerial opportunities being given to leaders who had worked against the party, while loyal Congress leaders were allegedly ignored.

Ashoka further pointed to protests by supporters of Congress MLA Laxmi Hebbalkar after she was left out of the expanded Cabinet. He claimed that the political discontent was not limited to individual legislators and had spread across several districts.

According to the Opposition leader, Congress legislators from Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts, which did not receive representation in the new Cabinet, were scheduled to meet on Tuesday amid discussions about mass resignations. He also highlighted the absence of Cabinet representation for Raichur, Yadgir and Karwar districts.

Taking aim at the Congress government’s record on women’s representation, Ashoka said the ruling party had promoted welfare schemes such as Gruha Lakshmi and Shakti but had failed to induct even a single woman into the expanded ministry.

The BJP leader also accused the Congress of spending much of its tenure dealing with internal disputes, including disagreements over power sharing. He said the latest controversy surrounding the Cabinet expansion had further highlighted what he described as the government’s failure to provide stable and effective administration.

“Even after three years in office, the Congress government has failed to take off,” Ashoka alleged, asserting that Karnataka would continue to face difficulties until the Congress government was voted out.

The Cabinet expansion brought an end to months of speculation within the ruling party. The Congress high command approved the induction of 19 legislators into the State Cabinet, with the new ministers taking oath at a ceremony at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan.

However, the final exercise itself was marked by uncertainty. Of the 20 names announced for induction, only 19 legislators eventually took the oath. Congress MLC Gayathri Shanthegowda, whose name figured in the announced list, did not participate in the swearing-in ceremony.

Congress insiders attributed the development to strong opposition and internal rebellion over the reshuffle, with the party high command reportedly deciding to keep her ministerial berth vacant.

The developments have provided the BJP with fresh political ammunition against the Congress government, while the ruling party faces the immediate challenge of containing dissent among legislators and supporters dissatisfied with the Cabinet expansion.

The Opposition is expected to continue highlighting the resignations, protests and lack of regional and gender representation as it steps up its criticism of the Congress government’s handling of the reshuffle.