Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar explained that senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah skipped the cabinet swearing‑in ceremony because he was occupied with birthday celebrations. He also dismissed any rumors of internal confusion, stating all 138 MLAs are eligible for ministerial posts.

Key Takeaways

  • Siddaramaiah missed the cabinet oath due to his birthday commitments.
  • Shivakumar says there is no confusion within the Congress; all 138 MLAs are eligible.
  • Leaders left out of the cabinet are urged to remain patient.

Bengaluru – Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Monday that senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah did not attend the state cabinet swearing‑in ceremony because he was busy with birthday engagements. The comment came after widespread media speculation about his absence.

Shivakumar stressed that there is no disagreement or confusion inside the party. “Our party has finalized the cabinet and every one of the 138 MLAs is eligible to become a minister. Those who are not in the list should exercise patience,” he told reporters.

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He recalled his own experience of being left out of the cabinet during Siddaramaiah’s previous tenure, noting that Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara also spent about three years outside the ministry. “Now I am CM and he is Deputy CM. Everyone must be patient,” Shivakumar added.

On the Cauvery water‑sharing dispute, Shivakumar said Karnataka will act based on legal advice after Tamil Nadu approached the Supreme Court. He affirmed that the state consulted all political parties and is complying with the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s orders.

Addressing queries about Congress leader B. Nagendra, Shivakumar mentioned that past cases have also been filed against him. He further attributed the omission of Gayathri Shanthegowda’s name from the cabinet list to “technical issues.”

Historical Background

Siddaramaiah served as Karnataka’s chief minister from 2013 to 2018, overseeing major reforms in education, health and rural development. While his tenure earned praise for several welfare schemes, it also faced criticism over perceived neglect of certain communities, contributing to Congress’s loss in the 2018 state elections.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that maintaining intra‑party cohesion during cabinet formation is crucial for Karnataka’s political stability, especially ahead of upcoming state elections.

"Political stability in Karnataka hinges on transparent cabinet allocations," said Dr. Ananya Rao, political analyst.
Did You Know?: Siddaramaiah turned 70 this year, making him one of the senior-most Congress leaders in the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Why did media speculate about Siddaramaiah’s absence?
Answer: Observers feared it could signal internal power struggles or disagreement over the cabinet composition, but Shivakumar clarified it was a personal birthday commitment.

Question 2: How many MLAs are eligible for ministerial positions?
Answer: According to the Congress, all 138 elected MLAs can be considered for ministerial roles, though the final selection rests with the party leadership.