Shivakumar extends birthday wishes to Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday extended warm birthday greetings to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on his 79th birthday, coinciding with the announcement of the much-awaited state Cabinet expansion.

Taking to social media platform X, Shivakumar wished Siddaramaiah, describing him as a guiding force in Karnataka’s development and public service. “Heartiest birthday wishes to Congress Working Committee member and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Your invaluable guidance in the state’s development and people-centric governance has always been a source of inspiration. I pray to God to bless you with good health and a long life,” the Chief Minister posted.

KPCC President BK Hariprasad also greeted Siddaramaiah, praising his commitment to social justice and his efforts to strengthen welfare-oriented governance during his tenure as Chief Minister.

The Cabinet expansion, announced on Siddaramaiah’s birthday, will see 20 legislators took oath as ministers at Raj Bhavan on Monday evening. A majority of the newly inducted ministers are considered close to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, although several leaders associated with Siddaramaiah’s camp have also secured Cabinet berths.

The exercise, however, has left several aspirants disappointed. Former minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar and senior Congress leader HC Mahadevappa, regarded as one of Siddaramaiah’s close associates, have been left out of the new Council of Ministers. The biggest surprise came in the final hours before the official announcement.

Mankal Vaidya, who was widely believed to have secured a ministerial berth and whose name was reportedly part of the final list until the last moment, was dropped in a dramatic last-minute change. In his place, Davanagere North MLA SS Mallikarjun was inducted into the Cabinet, making it one of the most unexpected changes in the final ministerial list. Following the development, Mankal Vaidya rushed to meet Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to seek clarification over his exclusion. However, he was unable to secure an appointment and returned without meeting the Chief Minister, further fuelling speculation over the last-minute reshuffle.

Meanwhile, protests erupted in Mysuru after Narasimharaja MLA Tanveer Sait was denied a Cabinet berth, with his supporters staging demonstrations against the party’s decision.

While celebrations broke out in the constituencies of the newly inducted ministers, disappointment and protests marked the reaction among leaders and supporters who missed out on a place in the expanded Cabinet.

The oath-taking ceremony for the 20 new ministers was held at Raj Bhavan later in the evening.