BENGALURU: The next Karnataka cabinet could mirror the Congress-led UDF experiment in Kerala, with the party high command weighing a younger and fresher team after Siddaramaiah’s exit as chief minister.Congress appears headed for a major balancing exercise as it prepares to hand the reins possibly to DK Shivakumar, 64, currently deputy CM. Speculation is rife that several seniors in Siddaramaiah’s cabinet may not find a place in the next govt if Shivakumar takes over. Among those who could lose out are social welfare minister HC Mahadevappa (73), energy minister KJ George (76) and home minister G Parameshwara (74).Byrathi Suresh, Santosh Lad, Dinesh Gundu Rao and BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan are also believed to be under the lens because of their close association with the outgoing CM. Sources say such a reshuffle could align with Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi’s push for a younger cabinet, similar to the model adopted by the UDF in Kerala.However, senior functionaries insisted no final decision has been communicated so far, and that experience would continue to remain a key consideration while choosing the new council of ministers.Some say party brass is considering a “healthy mixture” of experience and younger faces. About 15 ministers and five younger ministers from the Siddaramaiah govt could be retained, while the remaining berths may go to new entrants hand-picked by Shivakumar.Karnataka has 34 cabinet positions, including that of the CM. Three berths are currently vacant following the resignations of KN Rajanna and B Nagendra and the death of D Sudhakar. Functionaries say Rahul had earlier advised Siddaramaiah to pick more MLA below the age of 50 in his cabinet. A similar formula is expected to guide the next cabinet.But former minister RV Deshpande cautioned against sidelining experienced members in the push for generational change. “We have not heard anything on the new cabinet so far, but if a govt must run there cannot be only fresh faces,” the 79-year-old Desphande told TOI. “While fresh faces are welcome, there needs to be continuity and the govt needs experienced hands to function.”Asked whether he would consider a cabinet berth if offered, the former industries minister said: “I will not chase titles and positions but if the opportunity comes my way, I will consider it.”
