Congress MLA Belur Gopal Krishna on Friday said that at least 30-35 legislators from the party will travel to the national capital by May 28 or 29 to press the party leadership for a reshuffle aimed at providing opportunities to about 20 of them.
He called for the cabinet reshuffle to take place within 15 days, as the government completed three years in power, warning that they may take a strong decision if the ministry is not restructured and new faces are not introduced into the Cabinet.
“Earlier it was decided to go to Delhi after selecting the Kerala Chief Minister. Now after the Chief Minister is selected, we will meet in two-three days and 30-35 of us (MLAs) will go to Delhi. This time, we have a do-or-die situation because it has been three years since the government took office, but no one is discussing a reshuffle,” Krishna said.
Talking to reporters here, he said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently said that there will be a reshuffle, as 15 new people have been appointed.
“We have asked to receive 20 people, because those who are ministers now, have power for three years. So we have decided to go to Delhi probably by May 28 or 29. Earlier, 25 of us had gone. Now the number has increased, so around 35 of us may go,” he added.
Emphasizing that their demand is for a cabinet reshuffle, the MLA said the current ministers should be replaced and new people should be given a chance.
“There is nothing in which the same people should continue as ministers. We have given them three years. They were given another six months as ministers after the government completed the halfway mark. For the Congress party to remain strong in the state, a decision must be taken to reconstitute the cabinet,” he said.
Pointing out that the issue of changing the prime minister is a matter for the high command, Krishna answered a question, saying: “We are demanding our rights. On the issue of changing the prime minister, you should ask the leadership.”
He added, “We must obtain the position of minister through a cabinet reshuffle. If not, we will have to make strong decisions in the coming days. We will not allow it to continue like this. We must be given a chance within 15 days. If not, we have other plans. We will decide on them.”
According to reports, some Congress members aspiring for a cabinet post are already in Delhi to meet the party leadership there.
Last month, a team of senior party officials met the party leadership in Delhi and pressed for a reshuffle. Some first- and second-time MLAs have also expressed their ministerial aspirations.
The leadership struggle intensified within the ruling party amid speculation about a possible change of prime minister after the Congress government completed the halfway point of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fueled by the reported ‘power-sharing’ arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
According to party sources, while Siddaramaiah favors a reshuffle, Shivakumar wants the party to first decide on a leadership change.
According to several party insiders, if the Congress high command approves the reshuffle, it will signal that incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will complete his full five-year term, which will undermine Shivakumar’s chances of holding the coveted post.
Karnataka has an approved force of 34 ministers, including the Chief Minister.
Three Cabinet berths are currently vacant. B Nagendra resigned over allegations of embezzlement in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation, and KN Rajana was sacked on the instructions of the party high command. The recent death of Minister D Sudhakar has created a third vacancy.
