Bengaluru, June 3: Political activities have intensified in Congress-ruled Karnataka with the upcoming leadership change and cabinet expansion. D.K. Shivakumar will take the oath as the new Chief Minister on Wednesday. Since Tuesday, Congress leaders have been gathering in Bengaluru, sharing their reactions regarding the anticipated oath-taking ceremony and cabinet formation.
D.K. Shivakumar, designated for the Chief Minister position, spoke to reporters, stating, “I will receive a list of names from Delhi after 10 AM or by noon on Wednesday. We will discuss these names together and share our opinions. The final decision will be made by the high command, which will inform me, after which I will send the list to the Raj Bhavan.”
He also mentioned that the proposed ground-breaking ceremony at the Congress headquarters has been postponed and will be held on another day. Block presidents, officials, district presidents, and members of the guarantee committee will gather at the ‘Bharat Jodo Bhavan’.
Kerala’s Higher Education Minister Roji M. John and Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunath have arrived in Bengaluru to attend the oath-taking ceremony. They described it as a joyful occasion for Congress leadership. P.C. Vishnunath remarked, “A new Chief Minister is taking charge, and we are here to be part of the ceremony. It is a moment of joy for everyone.”
Speculation continues regarding the cabinet formation. Industry Minister M.B. Patil returned to Bengaluru after a meeting with the Congress high command in New Delhi. He stated, “Nothing has been officially decided yet.”
Congress MLA K.H. Muniyappa noted, “Some names have been approved in Delhi, but I do not have information on which names have been cleared. According to D.K. Shivakumar’s needs, about 10 to 15 people may take the oath.”
Congress MLA A.R. Krishnamurthy claimed that around nine to ten names have been approved in the first phase, and they could take the oath alongside the Chief Minister. The remaining ministers will be included in separate phases after the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections.
Congress MLA M.C. Sudhakar mentioned, “A decision has been made regarding this, but it has not been made public yet. The high command has not yet decided how many people will be included in the cabinet. We believe this will be a partial expansion, with a full expansion possible after the MLC and Rajasthan elections.”
Congress MLA Lakshmi R. Hebbalkar stated, “The high command has made a decision regarding the leadership change. The Chief Minister and some ministers will take the oath. We will fulfill the promises made to the people of Karnataka.”
Congress leader Sharan Prakash Patil expressed, “This is a historic day. We are confident that the new government will perform better.”
Women’s Congress President Alka Lamba remarked, “This is an important day for the Congress party. We are pleased that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been appointed as a member of the Congress Working Committee. We welcome this decision.”
Congress MLA Rahim Khan highlighted the demands of the minority community in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, stating that he has met with senior leaders in Delhi and received positive assurances. He also visited the Bidar Assembly constituency, where the minority community is advocating for representation.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Murugesh Nirani commented that the formation of a new government in Karnataka is seen as a significant political shift. However, he cautioned that it is too early to predict how the new government will manage administration.
There is palpable excitement among Congress workers and leaders regarding the potential leadership change in the state. An official announcement regarding the oath-taking ceremony and the final cabinet structure is eagerly awaited.
Leave a Comment