Over 30 Karnataka Congress Legislators Head to Delhi for Cabinet Changes

A significant group of over 30 Congress legislators from Karnataka set off for New Delhi on Sunday, aiming to persuade the party’s senior leadership to initiate a cabinet reshuffle. The legislators are particularly keen to promote new faces within the state government. During their two-day visit, they are expected to meet with key Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, general secretary K.C. Venugopal, and Randeep Surjewala, who is responsible for Karnataka.

The push for a cabinet reshuffle has gained urgency due to two vacant ministerial positions following the resignations of K.N. Rajanna and B. Nagendra. While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah supports the reshuffling of the cabinet, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has voiced opposition, focusing instead on leadership changes concerning the Chief Minister’s position.

First-time legislators are particularly vocal in their demands for representation within the cabinet. Some senior members plan to advocate for at least 20 out of the approximately 40 experienced legislators to attain ministerial roles in the reshuffle. The first-time MLAs have expressed a desire for at least five of their number to be appointed as ministers.

Ravikumar Gowda (Ravi Ganiga), a first-time MLA from Mandya, remarked, “We wish the senior legislators the best in securing ministerial posts for the benefit of the state. However, we too deserve our chance.” He further noted, “We will hold discussions on our next steps, including potential visits to Delhi.”

Prior to leaving, senior legislator T.B. Jayachandra, who is serving as the special representative of the Karnataka government in Delhi, stated that they are committed to discussing their demands with the central leadership. “Our agenda focuses solely on initiating an immediate cabinet reshuffle without entering discussions on leadership changes,” he emphasised.

Political dynamics in Karnataka have been affecting the smooth operation of the ruling Congress party, particularly in light of ongoing speculation about the future of the Chief Minister role. The cabinet reshuffle emerges as a strategic move to address the internal party tensions exacerbated since the government reached the halfway point of its five-year term in November 2025.

Amid this context, if the Congress high command consents to the reshuffle, it would likely indicate that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to remain in office for the remainder of his term, which would halt Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar’s aspirations for that position. Currently, the Karnataka assembly permits 34 ministers, encompassing the Chief Minister, underscoring the significance of the vacant positions in light of the shifting political landscape.