A recent dinner meeting organized by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for his council of ministers on October 13th has ignited widespread speculation regarding a potential cabinet reshuffle within the Karnataka government.
With the government approaching its six-month mark in November, rumors are circulating about the possibility of some senior ministers being transitioned to party roles, making way for new faces to inject fresh energy into the state’s administrative machinery.
Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar Addresses Rumors
When questioned by reporters, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated his lack of awareness regarding any impending cabinet changes, reiterating that such decisions fall solely under the Chief Minister’s discretion.
“I prefer not to comment on this matter. I will offer my input if the topic is formally discussed with me. I urge the media to refrain from generating unnecessary confusion or speculation,” he remarked.
Regarding the Chief Minister’s planned dinner, Shivakumar questioned, “What exactly is wrong with a dinner party? It’s quite normal for political leaders to gather, share a meal, and engage in discussions on various pertinent issues.”
Other Ministers Weigh In
Home Minister G. Parameshwara and Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy also commented on the Chief Minister’s proposed dinner meeting. They highlighted that Mr. Siddaramaiah has a history of hosting similar dinner and breakfast meetings in the past, where development projects and the implementation of state welfare schemes were routinely discussed.
Mr. Parameshwara clarified, “This dinner meeting is not being organized with a cabinet reshuffle in mind. The Chief Minister has previously extended invitations to MLAs and ministers for such gatherings.”
Sources suggest that the upcoming dinner meeting on Monday might also touch upon serious allegations made by the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association (KSCA) regarding an alleged “doubling of corruption” across eight government departments, alongside the issue of pending contractor bills.