Bengaluru, July 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A final decision on the much-awaited expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet is likely to be taken on Tuesday night, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, as party leaders continued consultations with the high command in Delhi.
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said a meeting was scheduled for Tuesday night and indicated that the process of finalising the names of new ministers was expected to be completed.
“Everything will probably be finalised tonight,” he said.
However, when asked about the date of the Cabinet expansion, Siddaramaiah said the matter was under the purview of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and suggested that questions regarding the schedule should be directed to him.
Siddaramaiah had returned to Mysuru from Delhi on Tuesday morning to attend the death anniversary programme of his elder son Rakesh Siddaramaiah before travelling back to the national capital later in the day.
Sources said the final decision on filling 20 vacant positions in the D.K. Shivakumar-led Cabinet is likely to be taken during a high-level meeting in Delhi. Shivakumar has been in the national capital holding discussions with the Congress leadership over the expansion.
Party sources indicated that the swearing-in ceremony for the new ministers could take place on Thursday.
Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah said the Congress high command had called key Karnataka leaders, including Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, for discussions on the Cabinet expansion.
“The high command has called my father Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and other prominent leaders from the state. The matter will be discussed today, and the Cabinet will be expanded,” he said.
Several aspirants have stepped up efforts for inclusion in the expanded Cabinet. Congress MLA H.C. Balakrishna visited temples in Nanjangud and Chamundi Hills amid speculation over ministerial appointments. He said the party was considering a formula involving 40 per cent new faces and 60 per cent experienced leaders.
Former minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmad Khan said he had not lobbied for a ministerial post and would accept the decision taken by the party leadership. He also referred to a controversial audio clip that he alleged was created using artificial intelligence, saying a police complaint had been filed and the matter was under investigation.
Meanwhile, the list of possible candidates is reportedly being reviewed after considering caste and community representation. Sources said the names of probable ministers have been reduced from 43 MLAs to 29.
The Congress leadership is believed to be considering inducting new faces, while state leaders have reportedly suggested retaining some former ministers from Siddaramaiah’s previous government.
A final meeting involving Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is expected to play a key role in approving the list. Once cleared, the names are likely to be sent to the Governor’s office, paving the way for the Cabinet expansion later this week.
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