Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar clarified he is unaware of any Cabinet reshuffle, calling it the Chief Minister’s prerogative.
Bengaluru
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s planned dinner meeting with Ministers on October 13 has set off political speculation about an impending Cabinet reshuffle, as the Congress government nears six months in office.
Sources said the reshuffle could involve dropping some senior leaders to assign them organisational roles while inducting new faces to energise governance and party functioning ahead of local polls.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, when asked about the speculation, distanced himself from the discussion. “I am unaware of any Cabinet reshuffle. It is the Chief Minister’s prerogative. I will give my suggestion if it is discussed with me. Please don’t create unnecessary confusion,” he told reporters.
On the dinner meeting, he added, “What is wrong with a dinner party? Party leaders naturally meet, dine and discuss various issues.”
Ministers G. Parameshwara and N. Cheluvarayaswamy also dismissed rumours, saying such gatherings were routine. “The Chief Minister has previously called dinner and breakfast meetings to review development and welfare schemes,” Dr. Parameshwara said.
Meanwhile, sources indicated the meeting could also touch upon allegations by the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association (KSCA), which recently accused eight departments of doubling corruption and delaying bill payments.
Earlier, three Dalit ministers — G. Parameshwara, H.C. Mahadevappa, and Satish Jarkiholi — held a breakfast meeting before Thursday’s Cabinet session, further fueling talk of internal alignments ahead of possible political changes.
