G Parameshwara likely Karnataka Deputy CM in DK Shivakumar govt: Reports
Congress leader G Parameshwara is likely to become Karnataka Deputy CM as DK Shivakumar prepares to take oath as SM and Cabinet talks near conclusion
Senior Congress leader G Parameshwara is reportedly likely to be appointed Deputy Chief Minister in the new Karnataka government led by Chief Minister-designate D K Shivakumar.
The development follows a series of meetings in New Delhi involving Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar, caretaker Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other senior leaders. The discussions focused on cabinet formation, organisational appointments, and nominations for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, the Times of India reported.
Parameshwara emerges as frontrunner
Parameshwara, a senior Dalit leader and former Karnataka Home Minister, is understood to have emerged as the preferred choice of the party leadership amid competing demands for multiple Deputy Chief Minister posts.
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The report, quoting Congress insiders, further stated that the move would help balance caste and regional representation while avoiding the emergence of multiple power centres within the government.
It stated that Shivakumar opposed appointing additional Deputy Chief Ministers. He is believed to have argued that such a move could create parallel centres of authority and lead to unnecessary political complications for the new administration.
Swearing-in today
Shivakumar is scheduled to be sworn in as Karnataka's Chief Minister at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru on Wednesday (June 3) at 4 pm. Alongside him, a first batch of ministers is expected to take the oath, although the final list is yet to receive approval from the party high command.
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Cabinet discussions have reportedly taken longer than expected due to parallel deliberations on the next Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Legislative Council nominations and Rajya Sabha candidates.
Balancing factions and representation
The Congress leadership is also working to accommodate supporters of both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah while ensuring representation across communities and regions. Several senior leaders have been lobbying for cabinet berths and Deputy Chief Minister positions.
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Supporters of K H Muniyappa, Priyank Kharge, Satish Jarkiholi, M B Patil, Eshwar Khandre, H C Mahadevappa and Yathindra Siddaramaiah have organised public campaigns seeking prominent roles in the new government.
The cabinet exercise follows Siddaramaiah's resignation last week as part of the leadership transition worked out by the Congress high command after the government completed three years in office. Ahead of the swearing-in, Shivakumar said he would work with dedication and strive to take every section of society along.