Karnataka: Ex-ministers are disappointed at not being inducted into the cabinet

BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan. | Photo credit: File photo

Discontent among senior cabinet ministers over portfolio allocation may have been resolved by the Congress leadership, but the party is facing pressure not to include senior ministers who were in the erstwhile Siddaramaiah cabinet in Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s cabinet.

After the swearing-in of 13 ministers, along with Mr. Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, several senior leaders who failed to find seats are believed to be upset. The Congress, with 135 legislators, is also witnessing intense competition among legislators who want to make it to the cabinet, which cannot have more than 34 ministers in Karnataka. The cabinet expansion is expected after the Rajya Sabha elections, scheduled for June 18.

The exclusion of senior Bengaluru Muslim leader BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan from the cabinet seems to have not gone down well with the leader who was earlier credited with consolidating Muslim votes for the Congress in the last elections. His ouster from the cabinet, which is expected to be extended by the end of the month, was attributed to episodes surrounding the Davangere South Assembly poll in which he was accused of working against the party.

Protests against Mr. Ahmed’s ouster were reported in various places in the state and it was learned that Muslim religious leaders had also met to discuss the issue. The expulsions are seen as attempts by certain sections of the party to sideline Mr Ahmed so that other leaders can emerge. Meanwhile, DK Suresh, the Chief Minister’s brother, also held talks with him.

Close sources said the former minister is confident of making it to the cabinet during the expansion. “The fact that Bengaluru’s Muslim quota has not been filled and the housing and minority development portfolio has not been given to anyone is an indication,” the sources argued. Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi told reporters in Belagavi on Sunday (June 7) that the party high command will take an appropriate decision in this regard and ensure that no community is treated unfairly.

Dinesh Gundu Rao. | Photo credit: File photo

Former KPPC president and ex-minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who expected a call for inclusion in the ministry but was sidelined, is also disappointed. While he made no comments, his wife Tabu Rao’s post on ‘X’ is interpreted politically: “In the battle of religion and caste… I wonder if merit, performance, competence, party loyalty, hard party work and integrity matter! Same in business and worse in politics.”

HK Patil. | Photo credit: File photo

Meanwhile, former Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil is making cryptic noises on ‘X’ after not getting a cabinet slot. When Ramalinga Reddy, who resigned – embarrassing the government – for being denied the Bengaluru Development portfolio, Mr Patil warned, “His (Mr Reddy’s) resignation is a massive wake-up call! Mr Reddy’s journey shows the need for introspection on current internal affairs in the party, he added. Mr Reddy was reassured. Earlier, at another post, when Mr Patil accepted the high command’s decision to forming the cabinet, he said: “The road is always hard for those who stand behind ideology.”

Party sources said the way the Congress central leadership handled Mr Reddy’s resignation and the displeasure of veteran leader KH Muniyappa had silenced many from voicing their views publicly. They said: “There is disappointment and dissatisfaction but it is not being talked about publicly.”

Published – 07 Jun 2026 21:02 IST