Image: ANI
A delegation of senior Indian National Congress MLAs from Karnataka travelled to New Delhi on Sunday to press for a cabinet reshuffle, even as first-time legislators renewed their demand for representation in the ministry.First-time MLAs have sought the induction of at least five of their members, while senior legislators are expected to urge the party leadership to consider a significant number of experienced leaders for inclusion in the reshuffle.Senior MLAs, including T B Jayachandra, the state government’s special representative in New Delhi, and Assembly Chief Whip Ashok Pattan, are likely to meet Mallikarjun Kharge and party general secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala.They also said efforts were being made to secure a meeting with Rahul Gandhi.”Everyone has the desire to become a minister. I have seen in the media that seniors — who have won three, four and five times — are going to Delhi to seek ministerial posts. I wish them well, hoping they secure ministerial posts and an opportunity to serve the state. The reshuffle is left to the high command and the CM,” first-time MLA Ravikumar Gowda (Ravi Ganiga) from Mandya was quoted as saying by PTI. He said the position of first-time MLAs, that they should also be given an opportunity, remains unchanged.”We will meet soon and decide on the next course of action. We have already met the party state President once, we had a plan to meet the Chief Minister during the legislature session, but it was not possible. We will meet the Chief Minister and see what else can be done,” he said. A total of 38 legislators recently wrote to the party leadership, seeking at least five ministerial positions for first-time members.Some first- and second-term legislators have also called for a cabinet reshuffle and sought a place in the ministry, holding separate dinner meetings to work out their strategy.Asked whether some sitting ministers should be replaced, Gowda said it would be preferable to bring in new faces in their place.“Some Ministers are not available, work is not happening. Some are not available even on phones…” he said, adding that the decision rests with the Chief Minister and the party high command.Reiterating that 38 first-time MLAs remain united, Gowda said their demand for at least five ministerial berths in the reshuffle continues, adding that there is nothing wrong in making such a request.”While some are traveling on Sunday, the rest will go on Monday morning. Current Ministers in the cabinet have already spent about three years in office, they have been given an opportunity, and we will request that now the opportunity be given to senior MLAs. We will place our demand before AICC chief Kharge,” he added.According to Ashok Pattan, the MLAs plan to remain in New Delhi for three to four days to seek an appointment with Rahul Gandhi and meet Mallikarjun Kharge and other party leaders.He said the chief minister and deputy chief minister are aware of their visit, adding, “Our agenda is only an immediate reshuffle. No discussion on leadership issue… Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may also meet high command on reshuffle soon.”Karnataka has a sanctioned strength of 34 ministers, including the Chief Minister.At present, two cabinet positions are vacant following the resignation of B Nagendra over alleged embezzlement at the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation, and the removal of K N Rajanna on the directions of the party leadership.The demand for a cabinet reshuffle has gained momentum amid an ongoing leadership tussle within the ruling Indian National Congress over the chief minister’s post.The internal contest has intensified following speculation about a possible leadership change after the government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term in November 2025. The speculation stems from a reported power-sharing understanding between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.According to party sources, Siddaramaiah is in favour of a cabinet reshuffle, while Shivakumar has called for clarity on the leadership issue first.
