Shivakumar Allocates Karnataka Cabinet Portfolios; Retains Finance and Key Departments

The Chief Minister has officially assigned ministerial duties to his 13-member team, though internal friction persists following the distribution.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has finalized the distribution of portfolios for his newly sworn-in cabinet in Karnataka. Following the formal approval from Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, the state government issued an official notification on Thursday outlining the specific responsibilities for the 13 ministers. Shivakumar has opted to retain critical control over the administration by keeping the Finance, Cabinet Affairs, Intelligence, and Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) portfolios under his direct supervision, alongside any departments not yet allocated.

Strategic Assignments and Key Ministries

The reshuffle sees Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara taking charge of the Revenue and Sports departments. Meanwhile, Priyank Kharge has been entrusted with the Home ministry—excluding the Intelligence branch—while also continuing his oversight of Information Technology, Biotechnology, and E-governance. The allocation reflects a mix of continuity and new mandates, as several senior leaders have been tasked with managing departments they held during previous tenures.

For instance, K.J. George remains in charge of Energy while adding Tourism to his responsibilities. M.B. Patil continues to oversee Large and Medium Industries, with the added remit of Infrastructure Development. Other veteran ministers maintaining their previous focus include Satish Jarkiholi in Public Works, K.H. Muniyappa in Food and Civil Supplies, and Sharan Prakash Patil in Medical Education.

Focus on Bengaluru and Regional Development

Urban growth remains a significant priority for the state, reflected in the specific portfolio distribution for the capital. Krishna Byre Gowda has been appointed to lead Greater Bengaluru Development, a comprehensive role that spans the management of the Greater Bengaluru Authority and various civic bodies including the BWSSB and BMRCL. Additionally, Yathindra Siddaramaiah has been assigned the Urban Development portfolio, which includes oversight of local planning authorities and water infrastructure projects.

Other notable appointments include Bairathi Suresh, who will head the Transport department, and U.T. Khader, who returns to the Health and Family Welfare portfolio—a position he previously occupied between 2013 and 2018. Eshwar Khandre has been tasked with managing Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, rounding out a cabinet that the Chief Minister claims was formed strictly following instructions from the Congress high command.

Internal Dynamics

Despite the official rollout, reports indicate that the process was not without friction. Congress sources acknowledged that the finalization of these portfolios faced delays due to dissatisfaction among some party members regarding the initial distribution. While the current 13-member cabinet is now functional, it remains well below the state's sanctioned limit of 34 ministers, suggesting that a further cabinet expansion could be on the horizon in the coming weeks.