In Karnataka today on Wednesday D.K. Shivkumar is about to take oath as the Chief Minister. Siddaramaiah had resigned from the post of Chief Minister last week and now Shivakumar will replace him. It is being said that only a few MLAs will take oath as ministers along with Shivkumar. A Congress MLA claimed that after getting approval from the party high command, the cabinet expansion will be done again, in which many other ministers will take oath.
Earlier on Tuesday, the top leadership of Congress held day-long discussions with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar on finalizing the new cabinet in the state. It is being claimed that both Siddaramaiah’s son Yatindra and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s son Priyank Kharge may get a place in the new cabinet.
There is no possibility of oath taking for the post of Deputy Chief Minister
The party is also mulling over the idea of having 2 Deputy Chief Ministers, but a section within the party claims that no one will be sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister in today’s swearing-in ceremony, because there are many contenders for this post and it does not seem possible to strike a balance between different castes with just 2 Deputy Chief Ministers.
It is being said that G. who comes from Dalit community. Both Parmeshwar and Priyank Kharge are top contenders for the post of Deputy Chief Minister. But sources say that Shivkumar is not in favor of making anyone the Deputy Chief Minister in his government. He does not want to allow another center of power to form in the state. After intense brainstorming in Delhi, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar left for Bengaluru.
Second list of ministers with the high command
Sources associated with the party said that Shivkumar will take oath today around 4 pm on Wednesday, which will initially have a small cabinet and it will be expanded later. Congress MLA N.A. Haris said, “Our leader is becoming the Chief Minister of the state, today is a special day, the second list of ministers has not been finalized. This list has not yet been approved by the high command. After getting the approval, we will know which new faces are being included. There are two lists of ministers. Some people will take oath today and the rest will take oath after the next 15-20 days.” Congress leader K.H. Muniyappa says that today 10 to 15 people can be sworn in as ministers.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will also be present at the swearing-in ceremony along with party president Mallikarjun Kharge. Chief Ministers of Congress ruled states of Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana will also be present. The Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand are also attending the swearing-in ceremony. Some other senior opposition leaders are also likely to attend.
Kharge and Siddaramaiah are also making efforts
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has already reached Bengaluru, while the Chief Ministers of other Congress ruled states are arriving today.
Some names are in the news in the race to get a place in the new cabinet, which also includes Krishna Byregowda and Dinesh Gundu Rao. Apart from these, Muslim face U.T. Khadar is also in the race for ministerial post, he is currently the speaker of the state assembly. Besides, there is a possibility of including a woman minister in the cabinet. Although the limit of Karnataka’s Council of Ministers is 34 (including the Chief Minister), the selection of ministers is a big challenge.
It is being said that not only Shivkumar but also the camps of Siddaramaiah and Kharge are trying hard to get place for their trusted people in the new cabinet.
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