Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expanded his state cabinet, swearing in eight legislators as first-time ministers while six former ministers from Siddaramaiah's second tenure returned to the cabinet. The expansion came amid political tension over ministerial posts in the long-awaited reshuffle.
A day after several Congress lawmakers offered to resign for being denied cabinet positions, Shivakumar recalled that he too had faced a similar situation during Siddaramaiah's tenure as chief minister. He said he could have resigned then but chose not to. His remark appeared to address the frustration of MLAs who felt overlooked in the new cabinet.
The Hindu reported that eight of the newly sworn-in ministers are first-time entrants, while Hindustan Times highlighted the chief minister's statement about the past denial of a cabinet berth. The resignations offered by the MLAs were in protest of not securing ministerial posts in the reshuffle.
The expansion fills vacancies in the state government and reflects internal balancing within the Congress party. Shivakumar's comments suggest an effort to pacify dissenting lawmakers while asserting his authority as chief minister.