CH NEWS
BENGALURU
BJP on Tuesday criticised Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over the delay in allocating portfolios to newly inducted ministers.
In a post on X, the BJP described Shivakumar as a “remote-controlled Chief Minister” and alleged that he was unable to take decisions independently. The party also shared a cartoon showing Shivakumar inside a cage held by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
“It is the misfortune of Kannadigas that the state has got a remote-controlled Chief Minister in D.K. Shivakumar,” the BJP said.
The BJP’s criticism comes days after Shivakumar expanded his Cabinet on August 3, nearly two months after taking oath as Chief Minister on June 3. While 19 ministers were inducted during the expansion, their portfolios have not yet been allocated.
The BJP said the delay reflected the Congress high command’s control over the State government. Its post also carried a caption mocking the Congress leadership and referring to an alleged statement that the high command would send the portfolio list.
Shivakumar had initially taken oath along with 13 ministers. The induction of 19 additional ministers increased the Council of Ministers’ strength to 33, including the Chief Minister.
Under the constitutional ceiling, Karnataka can have a maximum of 34 ministers, including the Chief Minister, leaving one position vacant.
The BJP’s remarks come amid continued anticipation over portfolio allocation and the distribution of key departments among the newly inducted ministers.
CABINET STATUS
- CM: D.K. Shivakumar
- Initial ministers: 13
- Newly inducted: 19
- Total strength: 33
- Maximum allowed: 34
- Vacant position: 1
- Issue: Portfolios pending for 19 ministers
“It is the misfortune of Kannadigas that the state has got a remote-controlled Chief Minister.” — BJP
Cabinet expansion
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expanded his Cabinet on August 3, inducting 19 ministers. The Council now has 33 members, including the Chief Minister, against the constitutional maximum of 34. However, portfolios have not yet been allocated to the newly inducted ministers. The BJP has criticised the delay, alleging that Shivakumar is functioning under the control of the Congress high command and is unable to take independent decisions.
