BJP leader R. Ashoka targets Karnataka Cabinet expansion, alleges corrupt leaders inducted

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Aug. 5, 2026: Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R. Ashoka, on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the newly expanded State Cabinet, alleging that it includes "corrupt people" and ministers who secured berths through a "payment quota."

Addressing reporters, Ashoka claimed that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had no real authority in selecting ministers and described the cabinet formation as unprecedented.

"The new cabinet has made it clear that the Chief Minister has no authority in choosing ministers. The same faces have returned, and corrupt people have been brought back. This is not the Chief Minister’s list; it is a payment list," he alleged.

Referring to the alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, Ashoka claimed that ₹187 crore meant for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes was diverted for election purposes. He questioned the re-induction of former minister B. Nagendra, who had resigned and was jailed in connection with the case.

"Who gave him a clean chit? The case is still pending," Ashoka said.

The BJP leader also criticised the Congress government for allegedly failing to provide adequate representation to the coastal and Malnad regions, as well as several backward districts, including Yadgir, Raichur, Vijayanagara, Kolar and Chikkaballapur. He further claimed that several communities had been left without representation.

Two months after taking office as Chief Minister, Shivakumar expanded his cabinet on Monday by inducting 19 new ministers.

Ashoka also referred to protests by Congress workers and supporters of legislators who were denied ministerial posts, alleging growing dissatisfaction within the ruling party.

He further criticised the cabinet for having no women ministers, calling it a betrayal of women’s empowerment.

"Before the elections, Congress spoke about women empowerment. Today, not a single woman has been included in the cabinet. While Muslims, who constitute around 12 per cent of the population, have got three positions, women, who make up nearly half the population, have received no representation," he said.

Ashoka claimed that Congress MLC Gayathri Shanthegowda was initially expected to be inducted but was dropped at the last moment.

He also accused the Congress of undermining constitutional norms by announcing the names of the proposed Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Legislative Council Chairman and Vice-Chairman on the party’s letterhead.

"The entire Legislative Assembly has been turned into a Congress office," he alleged, demanding that the party apologise to the people of Karnataka.

Targeting the Chief Minister, Ashoka described Shivakumar as a "rubber stamp Chief Minister" whose powers had been curtailed.

On the Cauvery water-sharing dispute, Ashoka warned that Tamil Nadu’s move to approach the Supreme Court signalled a major challenge for Karnataka. He said any decision to release water to the neighbouring state without considering Karnataka’s interests would invite public opposition.

Ashoka also announced that a meeting of BJP legislators will be held on Friday to finalise the party’s strategy for the Assembly session beginning on August 13.