Published Aug 03, 2026 | 4:50 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 03, 2026 | 4:50 PM
(LTR) Mankal S Vaidya, Yashwantraya Gowda Patil, Tanveer Sait
Synopsis: Hours after the Karnataka Congress announced 20 new ministers set to be inducted into the Cabinet on Monday, discontent among aspirants who missed out spilled onto the streets, with supporters staging protests across the state. Indi MLA Yashwantraya Gowda Patil has resigned, while others have similarly threatened to quit.
Hours after the Congress unveiled the final list of 20 new Cabinet inductees into the DK Shivakumar government in Karnataka on Monday, 3 August, disappointment among leaders who missed out quickly spilled onto the streets, with supporters staging protests across several districts and at least two MLAs indicating they would resign from the Assembly.
After weeks of deliberations, the Congress high command cleared the long-pending Cabinet expansion, taking the strength of the Council of Ministers to its sanctioned limit of 34, including Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Alongside the expansion, GS Patil was named Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, while A. Ponnanna was appointed Deputy Speaker.
The new ministry seems aimed at balancing regional and caste representation while accommodating leaders from different communities and regions.
The swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place at 4.05 pm at Raj Bhavan, Bengaluru.
Home Minister Priyank Kharge said a full-strength Cabinet was necessary to strengthen governance and improve administrative efficiency.
Several senior Congress legislators were left out of the expanded Cabinet despite being considered strong contenders. Those who did not find a place include HK Patil, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Shivanand Patil and NS Boseraju, among others.
The exclusions have triggered open rebellion within the party, with supporters of overlooked aspirants staging protests in Mysuru, Chikkamagaluru, Belagavi, Davanagere and Bengaluru.
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The strongest reaction came from Mysuru, where supporters and Youth Congress workers gathered outside the residence of six-time MLA and former minister Tanveer Sait after he was denied a Cabinet berth for the second consecutive time.
Supporters urged him to resign from the Assembly and accused the party leadership of overlooking senior and loyal leaders.
Speaking to reporters, Sait said he felt his trust had been betrayed, claiming he had been assured a Cabinet berth after waiting for nearly two-and-a-half years.
He, however, maintained that he remained a disciplined Congress worker and said his future course of action would depend on consultations with party workers.
Former minister Mankal S Vaidya was at the centre of another controversy after his name reportedly appeared in the initial list before being replaced by Davanagere North MLA SS Mallikarjun.
Party sources attributed the change to a “typing error”. They said Vaidya attempted to meet the Chief Minister to seek an explanation but was unsuccessful.
In Chikkamagaluru, supporters of Sringeri MLA T Rajegowda staged demonstrations after his name was left out despite expectations that he would be inducted into the Cabinet.
Similar protests were reported in Belagavi and Davanagere, where Congress workers accused the party leadership of ignoring their districts and senior leaders.
Indi MLA Yashwantraya Gowda Patil has tendered his resignation. Belur MLA KS Gopalkrishna also announced that he would resign from the Assembly at 10 am on Tuesday, expressing his displeasure over being overlooked, according to sources.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
