Bengaluru
oi-Madhuri Adnal
Amid ongoing internal discussions over cabinet expansion in Karnataka, scores of Congress workers on Tuesday staged a show of strength outside Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s residence, demanding that party MLA Yashvantarayagouda Vittalagouda Patil (often referred to as Yashavantha Rayagoud Patil) be inducted into the state cabinet. Patil is a Congress legislator representing the Indi constituency in the Vijayapura (formerly Bijapur) district.
One of Patil’s supporters said the gathering was aimed at conveying their demand directly to Shivakumar. “We are here for only one reason. We want to meet DK Shivakumar and tell him that Yashavanta Patil should be given a ministerial berth,” the supporter said.
Congress workers in Karnataka protested demanding MLA Yashavantha Rayagoud Patil be inducted into the state cabinet, following the June 3rd formation of CM DK Shivakumar’s ministry and ahead of potential further expansion.
Speaking on the same lines, Congress general secretary incharge Randeep Singh Surjewala said that the aspirations of MLAs seeking cabinet berths were natural in a democratic setup.
Following the recent formation of the DK Shivakumar-led ministry on June 3, the party leadership is currently managing expectations as it prepares for a potential second phase of cabinet appointments.
“As a Congress worker and general secretary in-charge, I respect those aspirations. There is nothing wrong in wanting to contribute to governance through a larger role,” Surjewala said.
Ever since the formation of the DK Shivakumar-led government on June 3, several leaders have expressed hopes of being included in the second round of Karnataka cabinet expansion. Among those whose names have surfaced in political circles are Saleem Ahmed, Abbayya Prasad.
#WATCH | Bengaluru: Congress workers gather at the residence of Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar to demand a ministerial berth for party MLA Yashavanta Rayagoud V Patil. pic.twitter.com/qs0iVviPHg
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2026
The current Shivakumar cabinet has 14 members, including Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara. Karnataka can have a maximum of 34 ministers, leaving ample scope for expansion in the coming weeks. The first phase of cabinet expansion had seen portfolios allotted to 13 ministers, including key departments such as Finance, Home, Energy, Public Works, and Urban Development. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar retained several crucial portfolios, including Finance, Cabinet Affairs, and Personnel and Administrative Reforms.
Meanwhile, a brief episode of discontent within the Karnataka cabinet also drew attention recently when senior leader Ramalinga Reddy submitted his resignation after being allocated the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio. However, following consultations with the party leadership, he later withdrew his resignation, bringing the issue to a close.
