No Confusion Over Portfolios, Karnataka Ministers Will Get Departments Soon: Parameshwara

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Monday said there is no confusion over the allocation of portfolios to the 19 ministers who were recently inducted into the state Cabinet.

Parameshwara said the process is expected to be completed soon after Chief Minister D K Shivakumar returns from New Delhi, where he has been holding discussions with the Congress leadership.

“There is no confusion. The process has to be completed after discussing with the high command,” Parameshwara told reporters.

Shivakumar has been in New Delhi since Sunday and has met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party general secretary KC Venugopal. According to party sources, the discussions included the allocation of portfolios to the newly inducted ministers.

Parameshwara was also asked whether the delay in assigning departments could create difficulties for the new ministers during the upcoming legislature session.

He said there should be no major problem, as senior ministers and government officials would assist those who are taking charge of new departments.

New ministers may initially need time to understand their responsibilities, Parameshwara said, adding that this was normal for anyone entering the Cabinet for the first time.

He noted that ministers would gradually become familiar with the administration and that their experience as legislators would help them understand the functioning of government.

Discussions over Cabinet changes

Shivakumar is also believed to have discussed concerns among Congress legislators who were hoping for ministerial positions but were left out during the recent Cabinet expansion.

Party sources said there is speculation about a possible minor reshuffle in which a few existing ministers could be replaced to accommodate some of the dissatisfied lawmakers.

There has been no official confirmation of such a reshuffle.

Pressure is also reportedly growing on the Chief Minister to appoint a woman to the Cabinet, as there is currently no female representation among the ministers.

Over the past few days, Shivakumar, KPCC president B K Hariprasad, AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala and several ministers have held discussions with legislators who were not included in the Cabinet.

The effort is aimed at addressing dissatisfaction within the party before the monsoon session of the Karnataka legislature, which is scheduled to begin on August 13.

Cabinet strength reaches 33

Around two months after taking charge as Chief Minister, Shivakumar expanded his Cabinet on August 3 by inducting 19 ministers.

The expansion brought the total strength of the Karnataka Council of Ministers to 33, while one Cabinet position remains vacant.

The allocation of portfolios is now expected to be completed soon following Shivakumar’s discussions with the Congress high command.