• Source:JND

DK Shivakumar is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday at around 4:00 PM, marking a major leadership transition in the state after intense internal negotiations within the Congress high command over cabinet structure and power sharing.

In that regard, the Congress high command held consultations with Shivakumar and the outgoing CM Siddaramaiah on the format of the new cabinet. Discussions are also on regarding the possibility of having two to three deputy chief ministers with an intention to achieve political and social balance, and there is a strong indication that Siddaramaiah's supporters too will be accommodated in the new government.

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The list of candidates in the new cabinet was discussed in the meeting held at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, with DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah also present at the same. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was joined by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Organisation General Secretary KC Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala.

After the meeting, both Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar have also had a discussion on the format of the final cabinet at a separate meeting with KC Venugopal and Surjewala, as the new state government can induct a maximum of 34 ministers, including the Chief Minister.

Discussions Over Deputy CM

Sources indicate discussions over appointing two or three deputy chief ministers to balance the political and social equations. According to an NDTV report, senior leader G Parameshwara may be sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister. 

The Congress leadership is working on a carefully balanced cabinet structure that includes:

  • Initial swearing-in of a smaller cabinet, followed by expansion later
  • Inclusion of leaders from both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar camps
  • Representation across major social groups, including Dalit, Lingayat, and AHINDA communities
  • Likely induction of several senior and regional leaders in key portfolios

The party’s approach reflects its effort to avoid internal friction while ensuring a stable governance structure ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.

Siddaramaiah's role and organisational position

The Congress high command has given its assurance that supporters of Siddaramaiah would get enough representation in the new government based on his socio-political hold in the state. In what is seen as a boost to the former chief minister and to accommodate all sections of party workers, Siddaramaiah's loyalists too would be part of the new cabinet. 

According to News18 reports, after stepping down as chief minister, Siddaramaiah has been inducted into the Congress Working Committee(CWC), making his presence in the national organisational unit of Congress significant. There are speculations that a coordination committee might be formed, in which Siddaramaiah could head for government-organisation relations, with him being the chairman of it.

Cabinet expansion and party strategy

Although it is expected that Shivakumar would take the oath along with a small cabinet, the latter is set to be expanded in due course with many more leaders and loyalists from both camps of Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah likely to be included in a phased manner, keeping in view the balance within the organisation and social standing. 

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After taking over as CM, DK Shivakumar would also be forced to step down as KPCC President. The process of identifying the new KPCC President is already underway, and Senior leader Satish Jarkiholi is emerging as the likely contender for the position.

During the discussions, representatives also discussed the probable list of candidates for the Rajya Sabha seats of Karnataka, where the Congress is slated to win three out of the four seats in the state. 

Chief ministers of party-ruled states, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, will attend DK Shivakumar's swearing-in ceremony in Bengaluru on Wednesday at 4:05 pm. 


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