Karnataka cabinet expansion triggers Congress revolt; MLAs face pressure to resign

Bengaluru: The expansion of the D.K. Shivakumar-led Karnataka cabinet has triggered widespread discontent within the ruling Congress, with disgruntled MLAs facing pressure from supporters to resign after missing out on ministerial berths.

According to party sources, Indi MLA Yashwant Rayagouda V. Patil has submitted his resignation as an MLA after being denied a cabinet post, while Belur MLA H.K. Gopalakrishna has reportedly decided to quit both his Assembly membership and a corporation board position, alleging he was deliberately sidelined. Bhadravati MLA B.K. Sangamesh said he would consult his supporters before deciding his next political move.

The cabinet expansion also sparked protests in Mysuru, Bengaluru, Vijayapura, Belagavi, Chitradurga, Kolar and Chikkaballapur, with supporters accusing the party leadership of ignoring deserving legislators.

In Mysuru, supporters of senior MLA Tanveer Sait staged protests, and one supporter reportedly attempted suicide by consuming poison after he was denied a ministerial berth.

Supporters of several MLAs, including M. Krishnappa, Priya Krishna, K.Y. Nanje Gowda, D.G. Shanthana Gowda, Ashok Pattan, N.Y. Gopalakrishna, S.N. Narayanaswamy, C.S. Nadagouda, R.B. Timmapur and S.N. Subbareddy, also held demonstrations demanding cabinet representation.

In Koppal, supporters of MLA K. Raghavendra Hitnal burnt tyres and raised slogans against the Congress high command and state leadership, underscoring the growing unrest within the ruling party following the cabinet expansion.