Karnataka Cabinet Expansion Delayed as Congress Struggles to Finalise Woman Minister

Bengaluru, Sep 18 : The much-awaited Cabinet expansion of the Congress government in Karnataka has hit another political hurdle, with multiple aspirants reportedly vying for the two vacant ministerial berths and the party yet to finalise a woman candidate.

The delay has added to uncertainty over the expansion, which was expected to take place after the Monsoon session of the State Legislature. The continued absence of a woman in the Council of Ministers has also drawn attention, with Congress Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala taking responsibility for the delay.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr Surjewala said the issue was not due to the Congress high command in Delhi but resulted from the difficulty in choosing among more than one aspirant.

“The mistake is mine. It is not the mistake of the high command sitting in Delhi. It is my mistake. I have not been able to finalise one candidate in this regard,” he said.

He said the party would soon decide on inducting a woman into the Cabinet, stressing that Congress was “very serious” about women’s empowerment.

Mr Surjewala said the matter would be resolved after consultations with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar, who, he said, were also concerned about the delay.

The issue has assumed political significance as the Congress has traditionally accommodated women in the Karnataka Cabinet. The delay has also given the Opposition an opportunity to question the government's commitment to women's representation.

With only two Cabinet berths available and several aspirants reportedly seeking induction, the leadership faces the challenge of balancing competing political claims while avoiding further discontent within the ruling party.

According to party sources, the Cabinet expansion could be deferred until after the Dasara festivities. If so, the government may continue without a woman minister for several more weeks.

For the Congress leadership, the immediate task is to reach a consensus on the vacant berths. With no final decision yet, the Cabinet expansion remains a key unresolved issue in Karnataka politics.