With D.K. Shivakumar set to assume office as Karnataka’s Chief Minister on June 3, curiosity is growing over the composition of the new Cabinet, a process expected to involve intense political negotiations and considerations of regional, caste, and factional representation within the ruling Congress.

Sources in the party indicated that 8 to 10 legislators are likely to be sworn in as Ministers along with Mr. Shivakumar, with representation being given to major castes and communities. A full-fledged Cabinet is expected to be constituted after the elections to four Rajya Sabha seats and seven Legislative Council seats on June 18.

Youth and experience

With an eye on the upcoming local body elections and the 2028 Assembly polls, the party high command is expected to strike a balance between youth and experience, as well as continuity and change.

Legislators whose names are being discussed for induction into the Cabinet include G. Parameshwara, U.T. Khader, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Priyank Kharge, Rizwan Arshad, M.B. Patil, K.J. George, B.S. Suresha, Krishna Byre Gowda, M. Roopakala (daughter of K.H. Muniyappa), A.S. Ponnanna, Sharath Bache Gowda, and H.C. Balakrishna.

Though Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is understood to favour a major reshuffle of the State Cabinet, outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is believed to have suggested to the party leadership that several senior leaders who served in his Cabinet be accommodated in the new Ministry.

Likely to be dropped

More than half of the Ministers in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet are likely to be dropped. Senior legislators such as H.C. Mahadevappa, Shivanand Patil, Sharanabasappa Darshanapur, Rahim Khan, R.B. Thimmapur, K. Venkatesh, B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, and M.C. Sudhakar are among those whose continuation is uncertain, claimed sources.

With Mr. Khader keen on joining the Cabinet, the names of senior legislators such as T.B. Jayachandra and H.K. Patil are also being discussed for the Speaker’s post.

No clarity on DCMs

There is still no clarity on the appointment of Deputy Chief Ministers. While some Central leaders have reportedly opposed the move, arguing that it could create parallel power centres and cause resentment among senior Ministers, others believe the appointment of Deputy Chief Ministers could help the party broaden its social and regional appeal ahead of future elections.

As Mr. Shivakumar is expected to relinquish the KPCC president’s post, more than half a dozen leaders are said to be lobbying for the position. Names doing the rounds include former Ministers Satish Jarkiholi, Eshwar B. Khandre, Santosh Lad, Appaji Nadagouda, and Shivaraj Tangadagi.

Party leaders said the Cabinet formation exercise would take into account administrative experience, electoral performance, and organisational contributions.

While retaining experienced faces could ensure administrative continuity and stability, the induction of new Ministers would signal political renewal under Mr. Shivakumar’s leadership. Social representation is also expected to be a key consideration, with the party likely to ensure adequate representation for major communities, minorities, and women.

The Cabinet formation exercise could provide an opportunity to reward loyalists who stood by Mr. Shivakumar during his long political journey, while simultaneously accommodating leaders aligned with Mr. Siddaramaiah to maintain unity within the party.

Visit to Delhi

Mr. Shivakumar is expected to visit New Delhi shortly for consultations with the high command on Cabinet formation, the appointment of Deputy Chief Ministers, and the selection of the Assembly speaker.

The final shape of the Cabinet is expected to emerge after these consultations. As the new government prepares to take charge, the composition of the Ministry will be closely watched for indications of the administration’s priorities and the evolving power equations within the Congress.

Will a core committee be formed?

To build consensus on contentious issues such as the implementation of the caste survey, senior leaders are believed to have mooted the idea of forming a coordination committee headed by outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Mr. Siddaramaiah had headed a similar committee during the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in 2018-19. The committee’s objective is to ensure that key decisions are taken through consensus in the government.

A simple swearing-in ceremony

The decision to hold the swearing in ceremony at Glass House in Lok Bhavan, instead of converting it into a spectacle drawing large crowds from elsewhere, was taken to prevent ostentation at the time of the oil crisis, party sources said, adding that it was also aimed at not causing inconvenience to the public. The party, while asking its workers to desist from arriving in hordes to the State capital, has also announced that no passes will be issued except for legislators.