Shivakumar Says Congress United, Assures Women Will Get Cabinet Berth

Bengaluru, Aug 2026 : Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday sought to dismiss speculation of growing differences within the Congress following the long-awaited Cabinet expansion, asserting that the party was united and working as a single team.

Shivakumar’s remarks came after he chaired the first Cabinet meeting at Vidhana Soudha following the swearing-in of 19 new Ministers earlier in the day. The expansion had triggered disappointment among several party legislators who were left out, with some openly expressing their displeasure.

Addressing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Shivakumar said the Congress leadership had deliberately decided to give opportunities to several new faces despite the presence of many senior and experienced legislators.

He said the decision was taken collectively and stressed that all Congress legislators were capable of serving in the government. According to him, the party had attempted to balance experience with the need to provide opportunities to new leaders.

The Chief Minister also sought to address criticism over the absence of women from the expanded Cabinet. He assured that a woman would be inducted into the ministry, saying the Congress had always attached importance to women’s participation.

“Our party has always given priority to women, and our party cannot exist without women,” Shivakumar said.

He pointed out that the Constitution limits the total number of ministers in the Karnataka government to 33 and indicated that the available positions would have to be managed accordingly. However, he made it clear that women would be accommodated in the Cabinet.

Shivakumar also strongly rejected reports of differences between himself and former Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah over the Cabinet expansion.

He said the final decision had been taken after consultations with Siddaramaiah and insisted that there was no dissatisfaction between the two leaders.

“Today is his birthday, and he has been occupied with visitors. I have spoken to him five times. All 139 Congress MLAs are working as one team. We are united and will continue to work together,” he said.

The remarks came amid reports of resentment among several Congress legislators who were expecting ministerial positions. Some leaders had threatened to resign from the Assembly, while supporters of others staged protests following the announcement of the new Cabinet.

On Congress MLC Gayathri Shanthegowda’s failure to take the oath despite her name appearing in the announced list, Shivakumar said certain technical issues were involved. He clarified that the list officially recognised was the one submitted by him to the Governor.

Asked whether there could be further changes in the allocation of ministerial portfolios, the Chief Minister said the Congress high command would take the final decision.

On the disappointment among legislators who failed to secure ministerial berths, Shivakumar acknowledged that such reactions were understandable.

“They are hurt, and that is understandable. Even G. Parameshwara and I experienced disappointment in the past. Opportunities come with patience,” he said.

The Chief Minister’s statements came as the Congress government sought to project unity following the Cabinet expansion, which ended months of speculation over changes to the ministry. The immediate challenge for the leadership will be to manage dissent among disappointed legislators while maintaining cohesion within the ruling party.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)