The exercise is expected to be completed early as the government has decided to call for a legislature session from August 6. About four dozen legislators, including senior MLCs such as BK Hariprasad and Salim Ahmed, are in the race for the 20 vacant berths.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Shivakumar said he would make a brief visit to Delhi before returning for a second round of discussions once the Congress leadership fixed a date. The consultations, he said, were expected within the next three to four days. The expansion was delayed as Rahul Gandhi was overseas.
Shivakumar was sworn in as chief minister on June 3 along with 13 ministers, leaving 20 cabinet positions vacant.
Party sources said the Congress leadership is expected to play a decisive role in the expansion after backing Shivakumar for the chief minister’s post and accommodating Siddaramaiah’s son in the cabinet. With those decisions settled, both leaders are expected to have limited room to press for their preferred candidates.
The chief minister is said to be looking beyond the immediate political arithmetic and focusing on leaders who can strengthen the party’s prospects in the 2028 assembly election. The emphasis is likely to be on inducting legislators with a strong regional base who can help the Congress improve its tally in their districts and contribute to securing a second consecutive term.
Shivakumar is also understood to favour younger legislators who can be groomed as the party’s next line of leadership. With less than two years left before the next assembly election cycle gathers momentum, new ministers will have limited time in office and are expected to focus on strengthening the party’s organisational base in their districts.The Congress, however, faces the familiar challenge of balancing regional, caste and community representation while accommodating senior leaders seeking a final ministerial stint. The exercise will need to account for representation from Lingayats, Vokkaligas, SC/STs, OBCs and Muslims, besides ensuring regional balance across the state.
The immediate political test for the government will be the upcoming elections to the Greater Bengaluru civic body, zilla panchayats and taluk panchayats. The BJP and JD(S) are expected to use any setback in the local body polls to step up their campaign against the Congress government.
