The son of outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister Yatindra, on Saturday, threw his hat in the ring for a ministerial berth, with people aware of the matter saying the possibility of giving him a ministerial berth was part of the internal power-sharing understanding reached when the Congress formed the state government in 2023.
Yatindra, a member of the state legislative council, rejected suggestions that Siddaramaiah sought a ministerial post for himself during discussions with the party leadership in Delhi in the run-up to his resignation from the state’s top post. But he added that senior leaders support his appointment to the government.
“Even when we traveled to Delhi to meet Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders, we did not make any such demands. In fact, Rahul Gandhi and other leaders said that I should get a position in the Cabinet and should be allowed to grow,” the 45-year-old Gandhi said.
He added: “I am definitely a candidate for a ministerial position.”
Leaders familiar with the discussions said the possibility of Yatindra being appointed to the Cabinet forms part of the original power-sharing understanding reached in 2023, under which Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, who was elected leader of the legislative party on Saturday, agreed to rotate the post of chief minister midway through the five-year term.
Yatendra’s remarks come against the backdrop of intense discussions on the formation of the new ministry, with Congress leaders weighing competing demands for ministerial and senior posts as Shivakumar prepares to take oath as prime minister.
According to leaders familiar with the negotiations, discussions on the possibility of appointing two deputy prime ministers have narrowed, with MP Patel, a Lingayat, and Dalit leader Priyank Kharge emerging as the main contenders. Satish Jarkiholi, who is being nominated for the post of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, which is currently held by Shivakumar, is also under consideration for the post of deputy chief minister, they added.
Party leaders had initially explored the possibility of appointing up to four deputy prime ministers to accommodate regional and social considerations. The sources added that the number is now expected to be limited to two amid competing claims from senior leaders.
“There are discussions on whether the posts of deputy chief minister should be created or not. The Congress party will take a decision on the issue,” Jarkiholi said.
Senior Dalit leader G Parameshwara and Lingayat leader Ishwar Khandre are among those seeking key positions in the new administration, according to party insiders. Shivakumar is also likely to retain the Bengaluru development portfolio and take charge of finance, which was previously held by Siddaramaiah, people familiar with the matter said. “There should be old and young leaders in the cabinet. You can’t get rid of experienced leaders. It should be a good mix,” Jarkiholi added.
Commenting on Siddaramaiah’s resignation from the post of chief minister, Yatendra said that he would have preferred his father to complete his full five-year term as chief minister, but added that he would abide by the party’s decision. “Like many of his followers, I wanted him to complete his five-year term. However, the party leaders, at their discretion, took a decision on transfer of power. Since we work under the party, we have to accept it, especially since my father was a loyal party worker,” he said.
