Bengaluru, August 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Karnataka Congress government faced a growing internal crisis on Wednesday following the recent Cabinet expansion, with several legislators expressing dissatisfaction over the denial of ministerial berths, leading to resignations, protests and threats of further political action across the state.
Several Congress MLAs who were expecting Cabinet positions have openly voiced their disappointment, while reports suggest that more than 20 disgruntled legislators are preparing to hold a separate meeting to discuss their concerns. A delegation of senior and junior leaders is also expected to approach the Congress high command seeking intervention.
The discontent comes days after Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expanded his Cabinet, leaving several senior legislators and aspirants out of the ministry.
Indi MLA Yashavantharayagouda V. Patil announced his decision to resign from the Assembly after being denied a ministerial berth. Veteran Congress leader T.B. Jayachandra declined the offer of the Pro Tem Speaker’s post, while Sagar MLA Belur Gopalakrishna said he had kept his resignation letter ready.
Senior MLA Gubbi Srinivas also decided to step down as Chairman of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
Reacting to the developments, Chief Minister Shivakumar said those wishing to resign were free to do so and that their resignations would be accepted immediately.
First-time MLA Sharath Bachche Gowda, who was also seeking a ministerial position or government post, expressed disappointment after being overlooked. He reportedly stopped using his official vehicle as KEONICS Chairman and switched to his personal car.
“I am saddened after not getting a post. Power should be distributed to everyone. However, I remain committed to the decision of the party high command,” Gowda said.
The backlash also reached the streets, with protests erupting in several districts.
A dawn-to-dusk bandh was observed in Gudibande, Bagepalli and Cheluru taluks of Chikkaballapura district over the denial of Cabinet representation to senior Congress MLA S.N. Subbareddy. Protesters burned effigies and tyres, while KSRTC bus services were affected after demonstrations disrupted operations.
Tension prevailed in Bagepalli after a Congress worker, identified as Ambareesh, allegedly attempted self-immolation by trying to pour petrol on himself during the protest. Police intervened and prevented the incident.
In Koppal district, Congress office-bearers resigned in protest after MLA Raghavendra Hitnal failed to secure a Cabinet berth. District Mahila Congress President Jyoti Gondbal submitted her resignation, stating that Koppal had not received Cabinet representation for 75 years despite Hitnal being elected to the Assembly three times.
Protests were also reported from Raichur and Yadgir districts, with Congress supporters demanding representation for the two backward and aspirational regions in the state Cabinet.
Meanwhile, efforts are reportedly underway to pacify senior leaders, including Gubbi Srinivas, with Shivakumar personally contacting him and two ministers assigned to persuade him to withdraw his decision to quit the KSRTC chairmanship.
Supporters of senior Congress leader M. Krishnappa and his son, MLA Priya Krishna, also staged a protest outside the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office in Bengaluru after Priya Krishna was not included in the ministry.
With dissatisfaction spreading across districts and legislators preparing to raise their grievances before the party leadership, the Cabinet expansion has emerged as the first major political challenge for the Shivakumar-led government.
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