Karnataka Congress faces internal turmoil after cabinet expansion

The Congress party in Karnataka is experiencing significant internal turmoil following a recent cabinet expansion. The decision to induct 19 new ministers has triggered discontent among legislators due to perceived strategic miscalculations regarding regional, caste, and religious representation. Notably, the new cabinet lacks a female minister, and several districts and minority communities feel underrepresented.

As the party seeks to manage this friction, intense lobbying has begun among the newly inducted ministers for influential portfolios such as Finance, Labour, and Social Welfare. For instance, Basavaraja Rayareddi has expressed interest in the Finance Department, while others are vying for Social Welfare.

Minister MB Patil has attempted to downplay the tension, characterizing the friction as "akin to minor family differences" that will be resolved through consultations between Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, former CM Siddaramaiah, and the party high command. However, the situation has already led to protests by workers and threats of mass resignations from local leaders.