Congress leadership warns Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar against lobbying for cabinet posts

The Congress high command has issued a firm warning to Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, urging him to curb any lobbying by MLAs, MLCs, community leaders and religious figures seeking ministerial berths. The party demanded that legislators stop meeting in groups or using public protests to pressure the government for cabinet positions.

Shivakumar's ministry, formed on June 3, currently includes 14 members while 20 ministerial posts remain vacant out of a sanctioned strength of 34. The high command stressed a “zero‑tolerance” policy toward lobbying and said that decisions on the next cabinet expansion will be taken by party leadership, based on regional balance, social representation and performance, not on pressure tactics. The warning follows several delegations, including a Muslim religious group, that approached the chief minister to advocate for specific candidates.