- Swearing-in of Karnataka cabinet ministers postponed after Congress protest in Delhi
- Rahul Gandhi led a march to PM Modi's residence
- DK Shivakumar, who was also in Delhi was detained alongside other Congress leaders
The swearing-in of new ministers in the Karnataka cabinet expansion, originally scheduled for Wednesday at Lok Bhavan, has been postponed after developments in Delhi on Tuesday. A fresh date is yet to be announced.
The postponement followed a Congress protest march to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, led by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi against paper leaks and the "attack" on students. Gandhi, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra gathered outside Kharge's residence at 10, Rajaji Marg on Tuesday afternoon and marched to the PM's residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. The protest was broken up hours later, with Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Congress leaders detained and taken away in a bus.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who was in Delhi to finalise names for the long-awaited cabinet expansion, also joined the protest and was detained along with other Congress leaders.
Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President BK Hariprasad were also in the national capital for consultations with the party's central leadership.
According to sources, the broad contours of the expansion have now emerged.
More than half of the remaining cabinet berths are expected to go to fresh faces. At least two women are likely to be inducted, while the party is also expected to accommodate two or three more leaders from the minority community.
Regional and caste representation are expected to play a key role in the final list. Kalyana Karnataka, the home region of Kharge, is likely to receive three to four ministerial berths.
Among the Vokkaliga leaders under consideration are Sharath Bachegowda, HC Balakrishna, N Cheluvarayaswamy and Priya Krishna.
Women leaders being considered include Khaneez Fatima, Lakshmi Hebbalkar and Roopakala Shashidhar, daughter of Union Minister KH Muniyappa.
However, sources said the Congress is also considering appointing Hebbalkar as KPCC Working President. If that proposal is cleared, she is unlikely to be inducted into the cabinet.
Among minority leaders, Rizwan Arshad, Tanveer Sait and MLC Saleem Ahmed are among the frontrunners.
The Lingayat leaders under consideration include Vijayanand Kashappanavar, Laxman Savadi, Appaji Nadagouda, Ashok Pattan and Basavaraj Rayareddi.
Virajpet MLA AS Ponnanna is also expected to be inducted, potentially giving the Kodava community representation in the Karnataka cabinet after nearly two decades.
Another likely entrant is Ajay Singh, son of former Chief Minister Dharam Singh.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao is expected to be accommodated in the expanded cabinet if the Congress high command succeeds in persuading HK Patil to take over as Speaker.
Meanwhile, senior Congress MLA RV Deshpande is understood to be keen on returning to the cabinet, but the party leadership is reportedly not inclined to induct him, citing his age.
