BENGALURU/NEW DELHI: In a dramatic and desperate display of “political ambitions”, scores of Karnataka Congress MLAs, seeking ministerial berths, have stormed New Delhi as the party gets ready to swear-in the new government under Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar.
The Congress headquarters in the national capital and residences of top party leaders have turned into bustling lobbying arenas. The race for ministerial berths has become an intense, no-holds-barred battle, though their terms would lost only 23 months. Party sources revealed that former ministers from the outgoing Siddaramaiah cabinet and almost all MLAs, barring those physically unwell, have reached Delhi over the past week, armed with exhaustive CVs and recommendation letters, bouquets, garlands, shawls, Mysuru petas and carefully prepared dossiers to press their claims.
Legislators are queuing up at the AICC headquarters to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, AICC General Secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, while the Gandhis are out of reach for them. They are presenting strong arguments as to why they “deserve” a place in the cabinet and how their induction would benefit the party.
For many MLAs, this is their last realistic chance at power before the 2028 elections. Several former ministers are making a desperate attempt at political rehabilitation. First-time MLAs and regional satraps are demanding representation for their communities and districts.
The frenzy has been fuelled by the belief that Shivakumar’s cabinet will decisively reshape power equations within the Karnataka Congress, deciding who holds influence in the party for years to come. Many members from the outgoing council of ministers openly admit that they are in Delhi seeking a second change in the government.
Party Chief Whip in the Assembly Saleem Ahmed indicated that the cabinet expansion may happen in phases, with 10-12 ministers likely to be sworn in first. Kharge too said on Sunday that the entire 34-member ministry might take about a month to be fully constituted.
The lobbying has taken a regional and caste flavour. MLAs from districts that have been left out of previous cabinets are pressing hard. Some MLAs, like Srinivas from Tarikere, openly declared they are “fully cent percent aspirants and demanded proper representation for all communities”.
Political observers say massive lobbying in Delhi showcases both the Congress’ strength and its inherent weakness. While it could indicate the leaders’ willingness to work hard for the next Assembly elections, it also exposes deep-seated personal ambitions, factional rivalries and simmering discontent that could trouble the party in the coming days.
