Karnataka Cabinet expansion brings back ‘insider-outsider’ debate

The much-anticipated expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet has yet again brought back the “insider-outsider” debate to the fore, with over a dozen among the newly-sworn-in Ministers identified as “migrants” and a number of legislators who have missed out being “original Congressmen.”

Of the 19 Ministers sworn in on Monday, Madhu Bangarappa, K.M. Shivlingegowda, H.C. Balakrishna, N. Cheluvarayaswamy, B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, Santhosh Lad and Basavaraj Rayaraddi have joined the Congress from the Janata Parivar at various points in time. Laxman Savadi, the former Deputy Chief Minister in the BJP regime, joined the party ahead of the 2023 elections, while Shivaraj Tangadagi and P.M. Narendraswamy have also served as Ministers in the BJP government. Another Minister B. Nagendra has also joined the Congress from the BJP. Interestingly, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself faced the “outsider” tag for a long time, having been a migrant from the JD(S).

Place for new faces

“If new faces were to be given an opportunity, the leaders could have been identified among those who have grown in the Congress. The three Vokkaliga faces inducted on Monday have all come from the JD (S). A. Krishnappa and his son Priya Krishna have been in the Congress all their lives. Malnad Vokkaligas could have been considered. Why were they ignored?” a Congress leader asked.

Legislators from Raichur, Kolar and Chickballapur where the Congress performed well have been ignored whereas two legislators from Koppal district that has five constituencies have been accommodated.

“If the Congress wanted to fight the communal agenda of the BJP, Hindu faces from the three coastal districts should have been accommodated,” a leader argued.

The two prominent Brahmin faces, senior leaders R.V. Deshapande and Dinesh Gundu Rao, both former Ministers and former KPCC presidents, have been ignored, and the community has gone unrepresented, said another party source.

Another party source said that the elections are still some time away and the party has time to convince the legislators. “Some could be accommodated in the party posts. It is also sad that some of the long-time party leaders and senior legislators have missed out. Party had also tough time to balance caste, community and regional aspirations,” he said.

Woman question

Meanwhile, with A.V. Gayatri Shanthegouda’s inclusion into the Cabinet put on hold, apparently owing to the intervention of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, representation of the Kuruba community in the Cabinet could just remain two. The former Chief Minister is learnt to have recommended Basavaraj Shivannanavar from the Kuruba quota.

“The lone berth available will go to a woman. The only Kuruba-woman option was Ms. Shanthegouda, which has been put on hold. If the choice is on any other community, Kuruba representation could take a hit,” another source said.

KPCC president has a tough time

The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office here saw supporters of those legislators who have missed the Cabinet berth mobbing the KPCC president B.K. Hariprasad, who had a tough time trying to convince them.

Among those who came were supporters of A. Krishnappa, Dinesh Gundu Rao and Tanveer Sait.