New Delhi: A group of nearly 30 senior Congress MLAs from Karnataka will travel to New Delhi to meet the party’s top leadership and demand a Cabinet reshuffle in the state. The legislators are seeking ministerial berths and want Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to restructure his Cabinet to accommodate more leaders.
The visit follows a strategy meeting held over dinner in March, where the MLAs discussed their demands after recent by-elections. The group decided to approach the high command collectively to present their case.
MLAs seek opportunity in cabinet
Congress MLA Belur Gopalakrishna said the demand is aimed at giving a chance to those who have not yet been included in the Cabinet. He said, “There are leaders who have been given chances three, four, even five times. We are going to request that those who have not yet been accommodated be given an opportunity.”
The MLAs said their visit is focused only on securing ministerial positions and expanding representation within the government.
Demand for reshuffle gains momentum
Congress MLA Ashok Pattan said the group is united in its demand for a reshuffle. He said, “There is only one demand — we are requesting that the Cabinet be reshuffled as soon as possible and that senior members like us be given an opportunity.”
Pattan added that Siddaramaiah had earlier indicated that new faces would be accommodated after two years, but that timeline has extended due to elections and Assembly sessions.
High command to take final call
The MLAs plan to meet AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and will also try to meet senior leaders such as KC Venugopal, Randeep Surjewala and Rahul Gandhi, depending on their availability.
“It is for the high command to take a decision. There is nothing controversial in our demand,” Pattan said.
The legislators are also pushing for a larger Cabinet expansion, suggesting that around 25 positions should be opened up. They argue that many leaders have held ministerial roles multiple times, limiting opportunities for others.
The group maintained that their visit has no agenda beyond the Cabinet reshuffle and said they are approaching the leadership collectively to present their demands.