After a hectic week of lobbying and speculations, the Congress will induct the new Karnataka state cabinet, along with Chief Minister Siddaramiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar, on Saturday. Even as preparations for the swearing-in ceremony were under way in Bengaluru, all the top Congress leaders were in the national capital on Friday, fine-tuning their next big move—the council of ministers.
According to reports, the Congress is likely to induct over 20 ministers in the first round on Saturday. As many as four cabinet berths may be kept vacant for induction later, sources said. A week after the Karnataka assembly election results were declared, all eyes will be on the Congress as the party tries to strike a balance between caste and regional equations in the new cabinet.
While there was no official word, the frontrunners include former deputy chief minister G. Parameswhara, B.K. Hariprasad, M.B. Patil, Satish Jarkiholi, Priyank Kharge, U.T. Khader, Krishna Byregowda and Ramalinga Reddy, Deccan Herald reported. Working Presidents Ishwar Qandre and Salim Ahmed are also in contention. Congress sources had earlier said that the party might consider Parameshwara, Patil and Khader as deputy chief ministers. Parameshwara, who had thrown his hat into the ring amid the tight CM race, is said to be disappointed with the high command's decision to stick to 'one-deputy' post for Shivakumar.
Three women—Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Roopakala Shashidar and lone Muslim woman MLA Kaneez Fathima—are also among the frontrunners. Hebbalkar is reportedly a close confidante of Shivakumar, while Roopakala is the daughter of senior dalit leader K.H. Muniappa, who is also hoping for a post. Parameshwara, a dalit leader, earlier said that dalits firmly stood with the Congress this election, and hence need to be represented in the cabinet, Indian Express reported.
The Lingayats, too, strongly backed the Congress this time with 37 of the 48 Lingayat candidates winning. Hence, the community has also been demanding a large chunk of berths. This includes former CM Jagadish Shettar who quit the BJP to join the Congress. The Congress also has to find a spot for BJP turncoat Laxman Savadi, another prominent Lingayat leader, who registered a comfortable win against the saffron party's Mahesh Kumathalli.
The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Kanteerava Stadium at 12:30 pm.
