Congress Dissent Erupts After Karnataka Cabinet Expansion; Resignation Threats, Protests Intensify

Bengaluru: The expansion of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's Cabinet has triggered widespread discontent within the Karnataka Congress, with several MLAs openly expressing disappointment after being denied ministerial berths. While some legislators have threatened to resign from the Assembly and party-appointed posts, supporters across the state have taken to the streets, posing a fresh challenge to the party leadership.

Among the most vocal leaders is Indi MLA Yashavantharayagouda V. Patil from Vijayapura district, who reportedly submitted his resignation as an MLA after missing out on a Cabinet berth. Describing the development as a setback for loyal and sincere party workers, he said committed leaders were being overlooked despite years of service.

Sagar MLA Belur Gopalakrishna also alleged that he had been deliberately denied a ministerial position and warned that he would resign from both his Assembly membership and any corporation or board post allotted to him.

Discontent has spread to Kolar district, where Bangarapet MLA S.N. Narayanaswamy's supporters resigned from party posts in protest. Narayanaswamy also expressed displeasure and warned that those responsible for denying him a ministerial berth would face political consequences. Malur MLA K.Y. Nanje Gowda and Bhadravati MLA B.K. Sangamesh have similarly voiced their disappointment, with Sangamesh stating that he would consult his constituents before deciding on his future political course.

Senior MLA D.G. Shantanagouda from Honnali announced that he would convene a meeting of his supporters before revealing his next move. Supporters of former minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa have also intensified pressure, reportedly urging his son and MP Sunil Bose to resign in protest.

Seeking to contain the growing unrest, KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad appealed to disappointed legislators not to take emotional decisions such as resigning. He assured them that the concerns of every aggrieved MLA would be conveyed to the Congress high command after individual consultations.

The resentment has also spilled onto the streets. In Mysuru, supporters of senior MLA Tanveer Sait staged demonstrations after he was denied a Cabinet berth. During the protest, one of his supporters allegedly attempted suicide by consuming poison and was admitted to hospital for treatment.

Protests were also reported in Bengaluru, where supporters of Vijayanagar MLA M. Krishnappa and Govindarajanagar MLA Priya Krishna staged demonstrations and burned photographs of the Chief Minister. Similar protests erupted in Belagavi, Vijayapura, Bagalkote and Chitradurga districts, with supporters of several legislators expressing anger over their exclusion from the Cabinet.

In Bagepalli, supporters of MLA S.N. Subba Reddy announced a bandh across Bagepalli, Gudibande and Chelur taluks after organising road protests and burning tyres.

With resentment continuing to grow both within the Legislature Party and among grassroots workers, the Congress leadership now faces the difficult task of pacifying disgruntled legislators while maintaining unity after the Cabinet expansion.

The Karnataka Congress is facing widespread dissent after the Cabinet expansion, with several MLAs threatening resignation over being denied ministerial berths. Protests by supporters have erupted across multiple districts, while KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad has appealed for restraint, leaving the party leadership under pressure to contain the growing rebellion.