Will finalise cabinet expansion this week: Karnataka CM Shivakumar

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Jul 27, 2026: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday said the long-awaited expansion of his cabinet will be finalised within this week, as he left for New Delhi to hold discussions with the Congress high command and state MPs.

Before departing for Delhi, Shivakumar told reporters that he would meet Karnataka Members of Parliament to brief them on key issues affecting the state, including the prevailing drought situation, water disputes, and pending development projects that need to be raised during the ongoing Parliament session.

"We need to make our MPs aware of the drought and water situation in the state. They should also raise issues related to the Cauvery, Mahadayi and Krishna rivers, the Mekedatu project, and several pending projects in Parliament," he said.

The Chief Minister is also scheduled to meet senior advocates regarding pending legal matters involving the state government, besides holding discussions with Union Ministers. On Tuesday, he is expected to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and other senior party leaders to finalise the cabinet expansion.

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president B.K. Hariprasad are also likely to participate in the meeting, according to party sources.

Responding to questions on the cabinet reshuffle, Shivakumar said, "The media is in a hurry. I think within this week, I will complete the entire exercise."

He also announced plans to convene an all-party meeting after returning from Delhi to discuss several important issues concerning the state. "I will meet opposition leaders and former chief ministers. There are some key matters that need discussion," he added.

Meanwhile, lobbying by ministerial aspirants has intensified, with several hopefuls also travelling to New Delhi to press their claims.

Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah and Hariprasad had visited the national capital last week to discuss the cabinet expansion. However, the meeting with the Congress leadership could not take place as Rahul Gandhi, Kharge and several party leaders were participating in a protest over police action against students demonstrating against the NEET paper leak.

The state leadership has already held one round of discussions with the party high command on the proposed cabinet expansion.

Shivakumar was sworn in as Chief Minister on June 3 along with 13 ministers, following Siddaramaiah’s resignation on May 28.

With the Karnataka Council of Ministers permitted to have a maximum strength of 34, including the Chief Minister, 20 ministerial positions remain vacant. The delay in expanding the cabinet has increased pressure on the government, with numerous legislators seeking berths.

Party sources said the Congress leadership faces a challenging task in balancing regional and caste representation while accommodating competing aspirations, as limited vacancies could lead to discontent among those left out.