He will discuss the induction of a woman minister with a high command: Karnataka CM

The discussion of expanding the cabinet to fill the remaining two berths seems to be picking up steam again, especially with just over a fortnight left for the start of the winter session of the legislature in Belagavi. The absence of a female cabinet minister was a particular point of contention.

While the cabinet headed by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was expanded in August, two cabinet berths remain vacant, one following the resignation of B. Nagendra over corruption charges and another that has not been filled at all.

On Sunday, the chief minister said, “I have raised the issue of inducting a woman in the cabinet to the Congress high command in Delhi. I can’t say whether the process will take place tomorrow, but they have told me that they will call me to Delhi to discuss it. It is something that needs to be done and we will definitely see it through.”

Trip to Delhi

The chief minister leaves for Delhi on Monday to attend the launch of Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love.

Since the expansion of the cabinet in August, the task has been to introduce a woman. Although the list of legislators to be placed in the cabinet released by the All India Congress Committee included the name of Legislative Council member AV Gayatri Shanthegowda, her name disappeared when the new list was announced after former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah opposed her candidature.

Party sources said that although E. Annapoorna Tukaram’s name had come up for serious discussion earlier, a section of leaders is against her candidature as she is a first-time legislator. “There is a proposal in the party to accommodate a woman without caste and regional considerations. There is also pressure on the party leadership from legislators.”

Published – 15 Nov 2026 21:07 IST