• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. 20 new ministers inducted, Karnataka Cabinet reaches full strength.
  2. Two MLAs resigned after being excluded from ministerial berths.
  3. CM DK Shivakumar urged patience, promised future opportunities.

Karnataka Cabinet Expansion: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expanded his Cabinet to its full strength on Monday, inducting 20 new ministers two months after taking office. Following Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's approval, the new ministers were administered the oath of office at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru.

With this expansion, the total number of ministers has reached its prescribed limit of 34 members, including the Chief Minister.

ALSO READ: Congress Approves Karnataka Cabinet Expansion With 12 New Ministers; Gayathri Shanthegowda Only Woman

20 Ministers Take Oath, Assembly Speaker, Council Heads Named

Those who took oath include PM Narendraswamy, Shivaraj Tangadagi, Rudrappa Lamani, KS Basavanthappa, B Nagendra, T Raghumoorthy, BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rizwan Arshad, Santosh Lad, Madhu Bangarappa, C Putturangashetty, SS Mallikarjun, Dr Ajay Singh, N Chaluvaraya Swamy, KM Shivalinge Gowda, HC Balakrishna, Gayathri Shanthegowda, Basavaraj Rayareddi, Vijayanand Kashappanavar, and Laxman Savadi.

The Congress high command also approved GS Patil as the new Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly while AS Ponnanna was named Deputy Speaker. In the Legislative Council, Saleem Ahmed was appointed Chairman, while Umashree was named Deputy Chairperson.

Two MLAs Resign Ahead Of Oath

Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, Congress MLAs Yashavantarayagouda V. Patil (Indi) and Belur Gopalakrishna (Sagar) resigned from the State Legislative Assembly after being left out of the Cabinet.

Patil claimed his name was included on the list until Monday morning before being removed from the final list released by the party.

"I was promised a ministerial berth even before the 2023 Assembly polls. Later, I was told it would happen after two and a half years, but that promise was not kept. I have no other choice," Patil was quoted as saying.

He further clarified that he was not resigning from the party, but stepping down as an MLA because the exclusion was an 'insult' to the voters of his constituency. Following his exclusion, his supporters staged a protest in Bengaluru.

ALSO READ: Karnataka Cabinet Expansion Likely On Monday; Congress Top Brass Expected To Clear Final List Of Ministers Soon

'Be Patient': DK Shivakumar

Addressing discontent among party legislators over Cabinet berths, Shivakumar urged them to remain patient.

"There are many MLAs, and it is impossible to accommodate everyone," news agency ANI quoted Shivakumar as saying. Recalling his own political journey, he added, "Earlier, I too missed out on a ministerial berth in Siddaramaiah's Cabinet, but I became a minister later. Similarly, we will provide opportunities to everyone in the future."

The Chief Minister further added, "I request them to be patient. We will create opportunities for everyone."

(With Inputs From Agencies)


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