Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated on Sunday that he has initiated discussions with the Congress high command regarding the induction of a woman member into the state cabinet. The Chief Minister, who is scheduled to travel to Delhi on Monday, confirmed that he has placed the proposal before the party leadership.
Addressing reporters, Mr. Shivakumar noted that while he could not confirm if the matter would be finalized during his upcoming trip, he remains committed to the process. “I have already placed the proposal before the leadership in Delhi. They said they would call me. There is a need, I will do it,” he said. The Chief Minister is traveling to the capital to attend the launch of Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love.
The push to fill the cabinet vacancies comes as the state prepares for the winter session of the legislature in Belagavi, which is scheduled to run from December 2 to December 11. Currently, two cabinet berths remain vacant. One vacancy arose following the resignation of B. Nagendra amid corruption allegations, while the other has remained unfilled since the cabinet was expanded in August. Following the August expansion, the cabinet strength stands at 33 out of a sanctioned 34.
Internal party dynamics regarding the appointment have faced previous hurdles. According to The Hindu, a list once included the name of MLC A.V. Gayatri Shanthegowda, but her name was removed from a subsequent list following opposition from former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Other names, including E. Annapoorna Tukaram, have been discussed, though some leaders have reportedly expressed reservations about appointing a first-time legislator.
Key facts
- The Karnataka Cabinet currently has 33 ministers against a sanctioned total of 34.
- Two ministerial berths are currently vacant.
- The winter session of the Karnataka legislature is set to commence on December 2.
- The Chief Minister confirmed he has brought the need for a woman minister to the attention of the Congress high command.
- One vacancy was created following the resignation of B. Nagendra over corruption charges.
Why it matters
The induction of a woman into the cabinet has become a point of contention and internal debate within the Congress party. While there is pressure from women legislators to fill the gap, the party leadership is currently navigating conflicting opinions regarding candidate suitability and representation criteria.
Source: The Hindu, Times of India
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