Karnataka, Aug 05 : The expansion of the Karnataka cabinet has sparked unrest within the ruling Congress, with several legislators expressing disappointment after being excluded from the new ministry. Responding firmly to the growing dissent, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar declared that any resignation submitted by party legislators would be accepted immediately, underscoring the importance of party loyalty over personal ambition.
The cabinet expansion saw the induction of 19 ministers, including several fresh faces. However, the move triggered dissatisfaction among a section of senior Congress leaders who had expected ministerial berths. Supporters of some overlooked legislators also staged protests, while a few leaders publicly voiced their frustration over the selection process.
The political tension escalated when Indi MLA Yashwantharayagouda Patil submitted his resignation to Deputy Speaker Rudrappa Lamani on Monday evening, becoming the first legislator to take such a step following the cabinet reshuffle.
Addressing the developments, Shivakumar maintained that the party would not prevent anyone from stepping down. He said that resignations, if submitted, would be processed without hesitation, adding that such situations are not uncommon in politics. The Chief Minister stressed that leaders seeking a long-term political career must place the interests of the party above individual aspirations.
Recalling his own political journey, Shivakumar said he had also experienced disappointment after being denied ministerial positions in previous Congress governments. He pointed out that both he and senior Congress leader G. Parameshwara were left out of ministerial appointments during earlier administrations led by Dharam Singh and Siddaramaiah.
The Chief Minister noted that despite not being included in the first cabinet formed after the Congress returned to power in Karnataka in 2013, he chose to remain patient instead of reacting impulsively. According to him, political setbacks should be viewed as temporary and should not weaken commitment to the organisation.
Drawing from the party’s history, Shivakumar cited examples of several Congress leaders who initially missed ministerial opportunities but later rose to occupy the state’s highest offices. He referred to former Chief Ministers S. Bangarappa and Dharam Singh, as well as senior Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, to illustrate that perseverance often yields greater political responsibilities over time.
The Chief Minister’s remarks appear aimed at containing internal dissatisfaction and reinforcing discipline within the Congress at a time when the government is looking to maintain unity after the cabinet expansion. Party leaders are expected to continue engaging with disgruntled legislators in an effort to prevent further resignations or political fallout.