Karnataka Congress protests cabinet exclusions after ministerial reshuffle

Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar expanded Karnataka's cabinet, but senior Congress legislator Ashok Pattan was left out of the ministerial roster. In response, hundreds of Congress workers gathered near the government hospital in Ramanagara, demanding that Pattan be given a suitable post and condemning his omission.

A separate controversy erupted when a recording circulated online that appeared to discuss the allocation of ministerial seats. Former minister R. B. Timmapur said his name is mentioned in the audio but he did not speak, denying any involvement in alleged talks about selling or favouring ministerial positions. The clip also referenced other leaders such as H. K. Pathi, intensifying internal dissent within the state Congress over the cabinet composition.