Hubballi-based Congress leader and Government Chief Whip in the Legislative Council, Saleem Ahmed, said on Thursday that the party high command has been urged to replace half of the state Cabinet with fresh faces. Ahmed indicated the reshuffle is likely to take place after Sankranti as the party prepares for upcoming local elections and the 2028 Assembly battle.
Karnataka Cabinet reshuffle
Speaking to reporters, Ahmed said the suggestion to induct at least 50 per cent new ministers is driven by electoral strategy. With taluk and zilla panchayat elections approaching, he argued that bringing in new leaders would energise the party base and improve prospects for retaining power in 2028.
“In the backdrop of the upcoming taluk and zilla panchayat elections and to help the party retain power in the 2028 Assembly polls, the party leadership should accord priority to new faces and induct at least 50% of fresh faces in the Cabinet,” Ahmed said. He added that the timing of the reshuffle would depend on the decisions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
Ahmed also raised concerns about regional representation. He noted that no minority leader from the Kittur Karnataka region has been given a ministerial post for nearly two decades and said there is clear demand for redress. He said he expects a ministerial berth this time, but acknowledged the final call rests with the state leadership.
On internal party dynamics, Ahmed referred to guidance from the All India Congress Committee. He said AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge had urged leaders not to cross the “Lakshman Rekha” as tensions within the state unit continue to surface. Ahmed sought to present his remarks as requests rather than criticism, signalling a preference for orderly consultation ahead of any changes.
Beyond the Cabinet talk, Ahmed outlined the party’s wider mobilisation plans. He said the Congress will stage nationwide protests on 5 January to oppose the Union government’s proposed replacement of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act with the Viksit Bharat guarantee and other measures. The move is likely to form a central plank of the party’s outreach to rural voters.
Ahmed dismissed accusations of minority appeasement in relation to housing allocations for those evicted from Bengaluru’s Kogilu Layout. He sought to frame the party’s response as humanitarian and policy driven rather than political favouritism.
The call for a refreshed state Cabinet comes at a sensitive moment for the Congress in Karnataka. The party holds government under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, but faces both internal competition and a resurgent BJP organisation. A reshuffle that balances regional representation, caste and community equations and the aspirations of local leaders will be closely watched for its impact on grassroots morale and electoral arithmetic.
Observers say the reshuffle, if executed after Sankranti as indicated, will offer the Congress an opportunity to reset ahead of the local polls and build momentum towards 2028. For now, the final composition remains in the hands of the state leadership and the Congress high command.
Key Takeaways:
- Congress MLC Saleem Ahmed has urged a Karnataka Cabinet reshuffle with at least 50% new faces to strengthen electoral prospects.
- The proposed change is expected after Sankranti to influence upcoming taluk and zilla panchayat polls and the 2028 Assembly contest.
- Ahmed highlighted regional representation issues and seeks a ministerial berth for Kittur Karnataka minorities.
- The party plans nationwide protests on January 5 against the proposed replacement of MGNREGA.
