Bengaluru
oi-Madhuri Adnal
The Karnataka cabinet is expected to expand on Monday evening, with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 4:05 pm. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has started calling MLAs likely to be inducted, indicating that the final list is almost ready.
Congress MLA Hivraj Thangadagi is among those expected to join the cabinet. Supporters gathered at his residence and celebrations began soon after reports emerged that he had secured a place in the final list.
The Karnataka cabinet expansion is scheduled for Monday evening at 4:05 pm, with CM DK Shivakumar finalizing inductions including Hivraj Thangadagi, Zameer Ahmed Khan, and Laxmi Hebbalkar.
Zameer Ahmed Khan is also tipped for a ministerial berth. Although former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was reportedly upset with him after the Davanagere bypoll, party leaders are believed to have ironed out their differences, paving the way for his return to the cabinet.
The contest for the lone woman minister’s position continued until the final stages. Laxmi Hebbalkar now appears to have emerged as the frontrunner and is expected to take oath alongside the other new ministers.
Who Is Likely To Be Inducted Into The Cabinet?
The names doing the rounds include Vijayanand Kashappanavar (Hungund), Basavaraj Rayareddy (Yelburga), H.C. Balakrishna (Magadi), Shivaraj Tangadagi (Kanakagiri), Ajay Singh (Jevargi), Shivalingegowda (Arsikere), Zameer Ahmed Khan (Chamarajpet), Cheluvarayaswamy (Mandya), T. Raghumurthy (Challakere), Laxman Savadi (Athani), Gayathri Shanthegowda (MLC), Madhu Bangarappa (Soraba), Rudrappa Lamani (Haveri), Rizwan Arshad (Shivajinagar), Puttarangashetty (Chamarajanagar), Santosh Lad (Kalghatgi), Mankalu Vaidya (Bhatkal), Narendra Swamy (Malavalli) and K.S. Basavantappa (Mayakonda).
There is also speculation over the remaining berth, with either S.S. Mallikarjun or B. Nagendra expected to find a place in the expanded cabinet. An official announcement is awaited.
