Chief Minister DK Shivakumar who returned to Bengaluru after meeting AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi on Sunday night told the media on Monday that he would only allocate portfolios to the 19 ministers for now.
He ruled out considering demands for Cabinet positions now, stating they would follow once the legislature session is over. His comments suggested inducting a woman member or making a minor Cabinet reshuffle would happen only after the monsoon session concludes. “No discussions on that now,” Shivakumar said regarding a Cabinet revamp.
The CM has been trying to address discontent among sections of his senior MLA colleagues after the August 3 Cabinet expansion left them angry. Some of them including Bengaluru MLA M Krishnappa, are firm on securing ministership.
AICC general secretary RS Surjewala and the CM have personally reached out to some senior MLAs to defuse tensions, but the effort has not worked in some cases. Shivakumar, sources said, considered a minor revamp that included dropping two or three ministers and inducting senior legislators in their place.
