Discontent continues to simmer over the composition of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s limited cabinet, as senior members raise concerns about the absence of a member of the legislative council. Furthermore, criticism has been directed at the fact that no women were included in the initial appointments. According to the rules, the cabinet must include at least one member from the council, who would serve as the leader of the Upper House. However, Siddaramaiah has failed to induct an MLC (Member of Legislative Council) into his cabinet, despite the presence of several senior Congress members like BK Hariprasad, Saleem Ahmed, and Prakash Rathod in the council.
In response to the criticism, newly sworn-in minister Priyank Kharge, who also serves as the chairman of the state Congress media committee, stated that they were aware of the requirement to include an MLC in the cabinet to serve as the leader of the house in the council. He assured that this was just the beginning and that all sections and regions would be included when the council of ministers is expanded. Kharge mentioned that both Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakunar would be heading to New Delhi soon, likely after the three-day assembly session, to discuss the issue with the high command. He also mentioned that the cabinet is expected to be expanded by the end of May.
The composition of the 10-member cabinet has raised concerns among several newly elected MLAs who feel left out. Apart from Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, Congress has only named eight ministers in the first list following extensive discussions between the two factions and the high command in Delhi. Initially, it was believed that the Congress leadership would allow Siddaramaiah to induct around 28 members into his cabinet, leaving six vacancies. However, due to conflicting interests and aspirations for key portfolios, the high command reportedly failed to reach a consensus among different camps within the Congress party.
As a result, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has shifted his focus towards the constitutional obligation of forming the 16th legislative assembly. The government has called for a three-day assembly session starting Monday, during which newly elected MLAs will take oaths, and a speaker will be officially elected. The composition of the cabinet with regard to including members from the legislative council has been postponed until the monsoon session, which is likely to take place in July. It is anticipated that Siddaramaiah may present a new budget for 2023-24 during that session.
DH Shankaramurthy, former chairman of the legislative council, emphasized the importance of having a representative from the ruling party in the cabinet who is a member of the council. While it is possible to include more than one MLC in the cabinet, the chief minister must nominate one of them as the leader of the Upper House. This individual would represent the chief minister in the House on behalf of the government.
Discontent and criticism over the composition of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s cabinet persist, particularly due to the absence of an MLC and the exclusion of women in the initial appointments. The issue of including members from the legislative council has been postponed until the monsoon session, as the government focuses on fulfilling its constitutional obligations for forming the legislative assembly.