Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar says cabinet expansion delayed pending Congress decision

Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar announced that the state’s cabinet expansion will wait for a final decision from the Congress high command. He said a scheduled meeting to finalise the list could not be held because of “unavoidable circumstances”, although the Governor has already approved the expansion and a swearing‑in ceremony was planned for Wednesday.

Shivakumar also recounted a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, where he and other leaders were briefly detained. He said Lok Sabha leader Rahul Gandhi intervened to stop police from grabbing him. The CM noted questions about criteria for appointments, cited past choices, and expressed a desire to fill all 20 vacant ministerial posts as well as positions such as Chief Whip, Legislative Council Chairman and Speaker. He said he is ready to finalise the list as soon as the party decides.