D.K. Shivakumar's Firm Stance on Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister Positions
Shivakumar's Strong Position Before Taking Office
Before officially assuming the role of Chief Minister in Karnataka, D.K. Shivakumar has already expressed his firm views regarding the structure of the new government. According to sources, he has raised strong objections to the proposal from the party leadership to appoint four Deputy Chief Ministers in the state. Shivakumar argues that there is a long list of senior leaders within the Karnataka Congress, and appointing only a select few to the Deputy CM positions could lead to significant discontent and factionalism within the party. It is anticipated that discussions will soon take place in Delhi to resolve this issue.
Leadership Change Confirmed
This development comes after the Congress leadership decided to replace Siddaramaiah with Shivakumar, putting an end to months of speculation regarding power-sharing arrangements in Karnataka. Sources indicate that Shivakumar is likely to take the oath of office on either June 1 or June 3. The Congress has also called for a meeting of senior leaders to discuss government formation and organizational restructuring.
Congress Legislative Party Meeting Scheduled
The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting is set to take place at 4 PM in the assembly's conference hall, where the party is expected to decide on its next legislative leader amid the ongoing leadership transition in Karnataka.
Siddaramaiah's Tribute Before Meeting
Outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will first visit Tumakuru to pay tribute to former minister K. Venkataramanappa, who recently passed away, before returning to attend the CLP meeting. He has publicly supported Shivakumar's promotion and urged party leaders and legislators to cooperate with this transition.
Limited Oath-Taking Ceremony Expected
Sources suggest that the initial oath-taking ceremony may be limited in scope, with only a handful of ministers taking the oath alongside Shivakumar.
Future Cabinet Expansion Anticipated
Following consultations between state leadership and the Congress high command, a full cabinet expansion is expected in subsequent phases. Karnataka can have a maximum of 32 ministers based on the number of assembly members.
Key Names Under Consideration for Cabinet Positions
As discussions about the new cabinet intensify, several senior Congress leaders are being considered for ministerial roles. Potential candidates for inclusion in the cabinet include:
- M.B. Patil
- G. Parameshwara
- K.J. George
- Priyank Kharge
- Yatindra Siddaramaiah
- K.B. Gowda
- Lakshmi Hebbalkar
- B. Suresh
- Santosh Lad
The final composition of the cabinet will depend on discussions among Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, and the Congress leadership in Delhi. The party is also working on filling key constitutional positions in the new political setup.
Speaker Position Contenders
Sources indicate that senior leaders K.H. Muniyappa and H.K. Patil are among the frontrunners for the Speaker position in the Karnataka Assembly. Siddaramaiah has reportedly discussed with senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, about ensuring representation for his close associates in the new cabinet.
Focus Shifts to Cabinet Formation
With the leadership transition process nearing completion, the focus has now shifted to cabinet formation. The Congress leadership faces the challenge of ensuring a smooth transfer of power in Karnataka while also accommodating the various factions within the party.