DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah meet Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to finalise Karnataka Cabinet blueprint

Karnataka Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar and outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a high-level meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi to finalise the structure of the new state cabinet ahead of the swearing-in ceremony. The discussions focused on ministerial appointments, regional representation and balancing key factions within the party.

Sources indicated that the Congress leadership is planning a phased cabinet expansion, with around 10 to 20 ministers likely to be inducted in the first phase alongside Shivakumar's oath-taking ceremony. The talks also covered appointments to party posts, including the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee leadership, and strategies to ensure a smooth transition of power following Siddaramaiah's exit.

The cabinet formation exercise comes after the Congress high command endorsed the leadership transition from Siddaramaiah to Shivakumar, ending months of speculation over the state's top post. Party leaders are now working to strike a balance between various caste groups, regions and senior leaders while maintaining unity within the Karnataka Congress.

Shivakumar is scheduled to take oath as Karnataka Chief Minister on June 3, marking a major political transition in the state. The Congress leadership is expected to announce the first list of ministers soon after the final round of consultations concludes.