Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar Delays Cabinet Expansion Amid Lobbying Pressure

The Congress high command has instructed Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar not to permit any lobbying for vacant ministerial posts, warning that attempts by aspirant legislators, their supporters, and religious leaders will not be tolerated.

Amid this pressure, the chief minister announced that the planned expansion of the state cabinet has been postponed to July. The current 34‑member council includes only 14 ministers. Following the June 18 legislative council elections, the expansion was expected earlier, but senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, cited the growing lobbying by various community groups—such as Okkaliga, Lingayat, Christian, Lambani, and Maratha—making the decision “difficult.” Shivakumar acknowledged the confusion within the party over how many MLAs to induct and emphasized a zero‑tolerance stance on any attempts to influence ministerial appointments.