Shivakumar Defers Karnataka Cabinet Expansion After New Delhi Protest

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar deferred the expansion of the Karnataka state cabinet on Tuesday after protests in New Delhi disrupted final consultations with the Congress high command. Shivakumar, accompanied by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC President BK Hariprasad, had traveled to the capital to finalize 20 vacant ministerial berths. The government had already secured the Governor's approval for a swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday.

Plans for the expansion were derailed when Shivakumar, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge joined protests near the Prime Minister's residence demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following a massive question paper leak. The subsequent detention of Congress leaders led to the cancellation of a critical Tuesday night meeting, forcing the deferment of the appointments.

The expansion aims to balance senior members with first-time legislators, specifically increasing representation for women, youth, and backward classes. The administration intended to appoint district in-charge ministers to review the state's drought situation before the legislature's Monsoon Session begins on August 6. Despite the delay, Shivakumar maintained that the high command will finalize appointments based on regional balance and performance rather than the pressure tactics and lobbying previously warned against by party leadership.