Karnataka Portfolio Allocation: CM Shivakumar Retains Finance; Priyank Kharge Becomes Home Minister

Bengaluru. Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has allocated portfolios to his new 13-member Council of Ministers. According to the notification issued by the Governor, Chief Minister Shivakumar has retained the Finance and Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) portfolios. Additionally, any portfolios not yet allocated will also remain with the Chief Minister. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara has been entrusted with the Revenue Department as well as the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports. Meanwhile, Priyank Kharge has been assigned the Home Department; he has also retained the Information Technology (IT) and Biotechnology (BT) portfolios.

Many senior ministers retain their previous portfolios
In the state’s new government, K.J. George has been given the Energy Department along with the additional responsibility of the Tourism Department. M.B. Patil retains the Large and Medium Industries Department. Satish Jarkiholi will continue to handle the Public Works Department, while K.H. Muniyappa has been assigned the Food and Civil Supplies Department, and Sharan Prakash Patil has been given the Medical Education Department. Krishna Byre Gowda has been entrusted with the Bengaluru Urban Development Department under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). Senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy has been given the responsibility for the Major and Medium Irrigation Department. Bairathi Suresh has been allocated the Transport Department, while U.T. Khader has been assigned the Health Department.

Which portfolio did Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra receive?
Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), has been given the responsibility for the Urban Development Department. His portfolio includes the Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board, the Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation, and several Urban Development Authorities. Meanwhile, Eshwar Khandre has been entrusted with the Rural Development Department. *Dissatisfaction within the party over portfolio allocation*
However, some dissatisfaction has surfaced within the Congress regarding the allocation of portfolios. According to party sources, certain ministers were unhappy with the portfolios assigned to them, which led to a delay in the allocation process. Notably, Ramalinga Reddy, the MLA from Bengaluru’s BTM Layout, had sought the Bengaluru Development portfolio. It is reported that Chief Minister Shivakumar intended to assign this portfolio to Krishna Byre Gowda; Reddy expressed his displeasure over this matter.

Portfolios allocated based on high command’s directives
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that the portfolios were allocated in accordance with the directives of the Congress leadership and that all formalities have been completed. He also informed that Rahul Gandhi would visit Bengaluru during the filing of the Rajya Sabha nomination by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Additionally, four Congress candidates are set to file their nominations for the Legislative Council elections on Friday, while discussions regarding the fifth candidate are ongoing within the party. Party sources indicate that a second phase of cabinet expansion could take place around June 10, although the Congress leadership has not yet officially confirmed this.