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Siddaramaiah Awaits Rahul Gandhi’s Nod for Cabinet Reshuffle
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has held a series of high-level meetings in New Delhi with senior Congress leadership as he seeks approval for a much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle and the nomination of four members to the Legislative Council. While official confirmation remains pending, the political stakes have intensified with the chief minister aiming to reaffirm his hold over the administration and pre-empt internal dissent within the party’s state unit.
During his visit, Siddaramaiah met with top Congress functionaries including AICC General Secretaries to present his reshuffle proposal, which includes re-inducting certain aspirants and allocating pending council nominations. Among the names being considered are former minister B. Nagendra, who was recently given a clean chit in a prior case, and senior leaders such as Basavaraj Rayareddi, BR Patil, and R.V. Deshpande. The chief minister is also said to have proposed that Satish Jarkiholi be appointed to lead the state party unit while assigning key urban development portfolios to G. Parameshwara.
Cabinet Reshuffle Under Watch
Despite Siddaramaiah’s efforts, senior leaders in Delhi have publicly stated that no final decision has been taken. The chief minister himself told reporters in Chikkaballapura that there had been “no discussion” on a reshuffle so far, even as political insiders indicated that active conversations were underway behind closed doors.
Party dynamics have added further complexity, with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar reportedly objecting to some of Siddaramaiah’s recommendations for council seats, citing lack of internal consultation. The high command has asked for a revised list of nominees before names can be forwarded to the Governor.
Council Nominations and Political Balancing
The reshuffle plan also includes recommendations for four vacant Legislative Council seats. Siddaramaiah’s list has reportedly faced pushback due to regional and caste representation concerns. With pressure mounting from various community groups and party factions, the final list is expected to be a carefully negotiated compromise.
Siddaramaiah’s recent moves are seen as part of a broader strategy to secure his continued leadership amid persistent whispers about potential succession planning within the Karnataka Congress. The inclusion of leaders like K.J. George, who enjoys strong ties with the national leadership, is widely viewed as a calculated step to bolster internal support.
High Command’s Decision Awaited
With Rahul Gandhi currently abroad, any final approval is likely to be deferred until his return. In the interim, Siddaramaiah is relying on his meeting with AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal to clear the path for the reshuffle.
If the green light is given, the reshuffle could signal both a consolidation of Siddaramaiah’s position and a recalibration of Congress’s political strategy in Karnataka. However, any misstep—especially without consensus—could fuel factional tensions and impact the party’s preparations for upcoming local body elections.
The coming days will be crucial, not just for Siddaramaiah’s political future, but for the Congress party’s cohesion and governance narrative in Karnataka.
