As the Congress government headed by D.K. Shivakumar prepares for the second phase of the Cabinet expansion, the biggest challenge before the Chief Minister is balancing competing political interests within the party.

The first round of the Cabinet formation triggered open dissent, suggesting that the next expansion could prove to be even more complicated.

Over a dozen Congress MLAs are already camping in New Delhi, meeting the party’s top leadership and lobbying for ministerial berths. Many of them view the upcoming expansion as a do-or-die opportunity, given that the next Assembly election is less than two years away and another major reshuffle is unlikely before then.

After June 18

Former Ministers B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, Santosh Lad, and N. Cheluvarayaswamy have reportedly met the party high command seeking Cabinet berths. The expansion is expected by the end of June after the elections to seven seats of the Legislative Council (June 18).

Meanwhile, discontentment continues to simmer within the government over the allocation of portfolios. In addition, caste organisations, religious seers, and supporters have been demanding the inclusion of MLAs from their respective communities in the Cabinet through protests, press conferences, and banner campaigns. Seers of different castes too pitched in to support their legislators.

The first Cabinet, comprising 14 members including the Chief Minister, reflected a power-sharing arrangement, with several key portfolios going to loyalists of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Any perception that the next expansion disproportionately favours Mr. Shivakumar loyalists could revive factional tensions within the party.

The absence of women in the initial Cabinet has also drawn criticism from Congress leaders such as Margaret Alva. Mr. Shivakumar has indicated that women legislators could be accommodated in the next round, increasing pressure on the leadership to reserve one or two berths for them.

Loyalists’ demand

Having served as KPCC president for six years, Mr. Shivakumar has built a strong network of loyal legislators, including MLA for Magadi H.C. Balakrishna, many of whom expect ministerial positions as recognition for their support. Legislators aligned with KPCC president B.K. Hariprasad are also expected to seek representation in the Cabinet, adding another layer of complexity to the exercise.

As every induction is likely to disappoint several aspirants left out, the upcoming expansion filling 20 berths would be the first major test of Mr. Shivakumar’s authority as the Chief Minister. If he succeeds in accommodating competing factions, regions, castes and political aspirants, it could strengthen his hold over the government, said a party functionary.