DK Shivakumar Warns Rebel Congress MLAs
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has warned Congress legislators unhappy with the recent cabinet expansion that their resignations would be accepted within minutes. His remarks followed threats to quit from MLAs who were denied ministerial positions.
Karnataka Cabinet Expansion Triggers Congress Dissent
Discontent emerged after 19 ministers were inducted into the Karnataka cabinet, leaving only one ministerial position vacant. Several senior Congress legislators expressed disappointment after being excluded from the expanded council of ministers.
Indi MLA Yashvantharayagouda V. Patil submitted his resignation from the Assembly, while Belur MLA H.K. Suresh, also known as Belur Gopalakrishna, offered to step down. Supporters of some excluded legislators also staged protests over the cabinet selections.
DK Shivakumar Warns Disgruntled MLAs
Responding to the resignation threats, Shivakumar said resignations were part of politics and no one could prevent legislators from stepping down. He urged the dissatisfied MLAs to remain patient and prioritise the party over individual ambitions.
The Chief Minister recalled that he and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara had remained with the Congress despite being denied ministerial positions during earlier governments. He said legislators seeking a future in politics should recognise that opportunities follow only when the party remains strong.
Shivakumar indicated that he would personally speak with the dissatisfied MLAs but would not tolerate pressure tactics involving resignation threats.
Congress Faces Karnataka Cabinet Fallout
The cabinet expansion has exposed internal competition within the Karnataka Congress as the leadership attempts to balance seniority, regional representation, caste equations and demands for new faces.
Shivakumar has also initiated changes to state-run boards and corporations. He said party workers would receive priority in upcoming appointments before legislators were considered for remaining positions.
Meanwhile, newly inducted ministers have been instructed to visit drought-affected districts and begin fieldwork immediately. The government is seeking to shift attention towards administration as the Congress leadership works to contain the internal dispute.
