Bengaluru, Karnataka – Clarifications have emerged regarding the recent Karnataka Cabinet expansion, with Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, stating that while his father had recommended certain names, the final decisions rested with the Congress high command.
Yathindra Siddaramaiah, who is also an Urban Development Minister, addressed reporters in Mysuru, explaining that his father had submitted a list of 14 legislators for ministerial berths during the cabinet expansion discussions. According to him, the high command did not accept all of these recommendations, leading to the exclusion of some individuals, including senior leader H.C. Mahadevappa.
He specifically noted that Mahadevappa’s name was at the top of his father’s list, and had been included in both the initial and subsequent proposed lists. However, the high command opted for P.M. Narendraswamy to represent the SC-Right community, prioritizing a fresh face. Yathindra also stated that his father had not recommended B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan for a ministerial position, and that Khan’s inclusion was a decision by the high command. This, he suggested, played a role in Tanveer Sait not securing a berth.
The statements come amid reports of dissatisfaction among some senior leaders and their supporters following the cabinet expansion, with many allegedly blaming the former Chief Minister for their omissions. Supporters of Tanveer Sait and H.C. Mahadevappa, both prominent leaders from Mysuru, had expressed their displeasure over their exclusion.
Yathindra Siddaramaiah sought to distance his father from the responsibility for Sait and Gayathri Shanthegowda being left out, reiterating that these were ultimately decisions made by the party’s central leadership. He emphasized that his father’s role was limited to recommendations, and the final authority lay with the high command.
The Karnataka Cabinet was expanded on August 3, 2026, with 19 new ministers taking the oath of office, bringing the total strength of the council of ministers to 33, with one post remaining vacant. The expansion aimed to balance experience and new faces, reflecting the Congress’ AHINDA (Minorities, Backward Classes, and Dalits) political strategy. The new cabinet composition includes representation from various communities, with an effort to maintain social and caste balance ahead of future elections.
Earlier reports indicated that several senior leaders, including H.C. Mahadevappa, Tanveer Sait, Dinesh Gundu Rao, S.S. Mallikarjun, and H.K. Patil, missed out on cabinet berths. The inclusion of B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan also reportedly surprised some political observers due to past controversies. The expansion has led to protests from some MLAs who were overlooked, with some expressing disappointment and threatening to resign from party positions.
Yathindra Siddaramaiah defended his own inclusion in the ministry, stating that it was a decision made after his father demitted the Chief Minister’s office and was aimed at not disappointing members of their community. He indicated plans to personally meet with Mahadevappa and Sait to address their discontent.
The narrative surrounding the Karnataka Cabinet expansion continues to highlight the complex dynamics of political decision-making within the Congress, with the high command’s influence playing a crucial role in the final selection of ministers.
The Chenab Times News Desk