DK Shivakumar's likely Cabinet takes shape; Siddaramaiah loyalists among ministers

As Karnataka prepares for a major political transition, with DK Shivakumar set to take over as Chief Minister from Siddaramaiah, the contours of the possible new Cabinet are beginning to emerge, though discussions are still underway.

As the Congress high command works to ensure a smooth leadership transition, intense deliberations continue over ministerial berths, caste representation, regional balance and the accommodation of loyalists from both the Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar camps.

The proposed Cabinet is expected to retain several ministers from the outgoing Siddaramaiah government, signalling an attempt to maintain continuity while also balancing internal power equations within the party.

The likely ministers are:

• Yathindra Siddaramaiah: Son of the outgoing Chief Minister, and he had reportedly been pushing for a major role for his son in the new Cabinet, including a key portfolio or a possible Deputy Chief Minister post.
• AS Ponnanna: Senior Congress MLA and Siddaramaiah’s legal advisor. He has been closely associated with Siddaramaiah and is considered part of his inner circle.
• G Parameshwara: Veteran Congress leader and outgoing Home Minister. A prominent Dalit face whose name was also discussed for the Chief Minister’s post during the leadership transition.
• MB Patil: The outgoing Minister for Large and Medium Industries is a Siddaramaiah aide. A powerful Lingayat leader from north Karnataka and one of the senior-most Congress leaders in the state.
• Byrathi Suresh: MLA from Hebbal and outgoing Urban Development Minister. He is regarded as an influential Bengaluru leader in the Congress.
• HC Mahadevappa: Senior Dalit leader and outgoing Social Welfare Minister. A long-time Siddaramaiah loyalist and an important Ahinda face in the party.
• Priyank Kharge: Outgoing Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister and son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
• Krishna Byre Gowda: Outgoing Revenue Minister and a senior Bengaluru-based Congress leader known for his administrative experience.
• Santosh Lad: Another Siddaramaiah loyalist and outgoing Labour Minister and influential leader from north Karnataka.
• Dinesh Gundu Rao: Outgoing Health and Family Welfare Minister and former Karnataka Congress president. A senior Congress organisational face from Bengaluru.
• Lakshmi Hebbalkar: Outgoing Women and Child Development Minister and influential Congress leader from Belagavi district. Her name has also surfaced in discussions for a Deputy Chief Minister post.
• Ramalinga Reddy: Senior Congress leader who handled the Transport and Muzrai portfolios in the outgoing government. A strong Bengaluru-based Vokkaliga face in the party.
• Rizwan Arshad: Congress MLA and one of the party’s key minority faces in the Karnataka Assembly.
• UT Khader: Karnataka Assembly Speaker and senior Congress minority leader from coastal Karnataka. He has previously served as a minister in Congress governments.
• Sharath Bachegowda: Young Congress MLA who earlier served as chairman of the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation. Seen as an emerging face in the party.

With Siddaramaiah having already resigned, the Congress Legislature Party is set to convene on Saturday and is likely to take a final decision on the Chief Ministerial post, following which swift moves are expected towards government formation and the oath-taking ceremony.