Ministers lobby for key portfolios as Karnataka Cabinet allocation nears

Karnataka Congress faces internal pressure over ministerial portfolio allocation, with several leaders lobbying for key departments. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is attempting to manage dissatisfaction among legislators, including denied Cabinet aspirants, ahead of the Assembly session and possible rebel meetings

Bengaluru: With the allocation of portfolios to the newly-inducted Karnataka ministers expected by Friday evening, intense lobbying has begun within the Congress, with several ministers vying for key departments, even as Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is racing to contain discontent among legislators ahead of the Assembly session.

The demand is said to be highest for influential departments such as Labour, Social Welfare, Finance, Planning, and Higher Education, with several ministers making their preferences known to the party leadership.

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Senior Congress leader and newly inducted minister Basavaraja Rayareddi on Friday openly expressed his desire to head the Finance Department, citing his experience as a former Finance Adviser to the Chief Minister.

“I have worked as the Chief Minister’s Finance Adviser. The party would have assessed everyone’s strengths. If the Finance portfolio is given to me, I will appreciate it. I am interested only in tax collection. Let the Chief Minister prepare and present the Budget. I do not even want transfer powers. The Chief Minister can retain the authority to transfer everyone from a peon to an IAS officer,” Rayareddi told reporters.

He added that he is prepared to work in any development-oriented department if not given Finance. “I work 24 hours. I am also interested in the Planning Department, which nobody else is seeking. The Govindarao Committee report needs to be implemented, and I have a personal interest in that. Whatever portfolio I am assigned, I will work with full commitment,” he said.

The Congress inducted 19 ministers into the Cabinet on August 3, but portfolios are yet to be allocated, resulting in hectic lobbying within the party.

Newly sworn-in ministers P Narendraswamy and Shivaraj Tangadgi, both hailing from oppressed communities, are both understood to be seeking the Social Welfare Department, while Food and Civil Supplies Minister, seven-term MP K.H. Muniyappa has already publicly stated that he is dissatisfied with his present portfolio and is hoping for a more significant department.

Meanwhile, political activity has remained centred in Bengaluru, with several ministers staying back in the State capital to pursue key portfolios.

According to party sources, ministers KS Basavanthappa and SS Mallikarjun, both from Davanagere district, have continued to remain in Bengaluru for discussions with the leadership despite Chief Minister Shivakumar directing ministers to visit their districts and assess the prevailing drought situation.

The portfolio exercise also comes against the backdrop of growing resentment among legislators who were denied Cabinet berths during the recent expansion. The Chief Minister, along with senior party leaders, is expected to meet former minister MC Sudhakar as part of efforts to pacify disgruntled leaders.

The Congress leadership is also closely watching a dinner meeting proposed by dissatisfied and rebel MLAs in Bengaluru on August 13. The gathering is expected to take place just ahead of the commencement of the Assembly Monsoon session on the same day.

Party sources said nearly 40 MLAs are planning to meet on the opening day of the Assembly session, a development that could prove politically embarrassing for the government if differences remain unresolved.

Hence, Chief Minister Shivakumar has stepped up his outreach to senior leaders and dissatisfied legislators. As part of these efforts, CM Shivakumar is scheduled to visit the residence of seven term MLA TB Jayachandra, who has publicly criticised the composition of the new Cabinet, calling it “a matter of shame” after seeing the list of ministers.

Jayachandra has also threatened to send a letter to make appropriate seating arrangements for him alongside the Opposition in the Assembly, reflecting his dissatisfaction over being denied a Cabinet berth, according to insiders.

With portfolio allocation expected later in the day, the Congress leadership faces the twin challenge of balancing regional, caste and political equations while preventing the simmering dissatisfaction within the party from escalating further during the Assembly session.