Published Feb 23, 2026 | 8:08 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 23, 2026 | 8:08 PM
Congress
Synopsis: The signatories of the letter include Nara Bharath Reddy, A S Ponnanna, Devendrappa, Ashok Kumar Rai, HV Venkatesh, Vishwas Vaidya, among others. However, one of the signatories Basavaraju Sivaganga told South First that the letter was written at least over a year ago, and was only leaked to the media now.
A letter written by a group of first-time MLAs in Karnataka to senior party leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, seeking representation in the state Cabinet during the proposed reshuffle has surfaced on Monday, 23 February.
The signatories of the letter include Nara Bharath Reddy, A S Ponnanna, Devendrappa, Ashok Kumar Rai, HV Venkatesh, Vishwas Vaidya, among others.
However, one of the signatories Basavaraju Sivaganga told South First that the letter was written at least over a year ago, and was only leaked to the media now.
The letter pointed out that when the 34-member ministry was formed under Siddaramaiah’s leadership, no first-time MLA was given an opportunity to serve in the Cabinet.
“As you are aware, the people of Karnataka have elected 38 members to the legislative assembly from the Indian National Congress for the first time and thereby sent out a clear message that they want to see new young faces in the Legislature,” the MLAs said in their letter.
“That being the case, it is justified that the first time MLAs are also accommodated in the cabinet,” the letter stated.
The MLAs argued that inducting newcomers into ministerial positions was not unprecedented. They noted that first-time MLAs had been appointed as Chief Ministers or ministers in several states.
They said a mix of youth and experience would provide the right balance for governance and help the party return to power in 2028.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Anisha Reddy)
