Karnataka Cabinet Faces Heat Over Women’s Exclusion

• DK Shivakumar defends absence of women in first Cabinet expansion
• Says several ministerial vacancies are still available
• BJP and Congress leaders criticize lack of women’s representation
• Margaret Alva expresses disappointment over all-male ministry

GG News Bureau
Bengaluru, 5th June: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday defended the absence of women in his newly formed Cabinet, saying there are several vacancies in the ministry and opportunities would be provided in the coming days.

The Chief Minister’s remarks came amid criticism from both the Opposition and sections within the Congress over the lack of female representation in the first phase of Cabinet formation.

Shivakumar, who took oath as Chief Minister on Wednesday along with 13 ministers, said the issue should not be viewed in isolation as the Cabinet expansion process is not yet complete.

“Let them wait; there are a lot of vacancies. Last time too, there were no women in the first round. We are all there,” Shivakumar told reporters when asked about the criticism.

The Karnataka Council of Ministers can have a maximum strength of 34, including the Chief Minister, leaving several berths vacant.

Highlighting the Congress government’s track record on women’s welfare, Shivakumar said the party had implemented several initiatives benefiting women and had set a model for the country.

The Opposition BJP, however, questioned the absence of women in the ministry. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka criticised the Congress government for failing to induct even a single woman minister.

The issue also triggered discontent within the Congress. Senior party leader and former Union Minister Margaret Alva expressed disappointment over the Cabinet composition.

“Congratulations to DK Shivakumar on being sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister. I wish him and his team success. I would have loved to see at least one Congress woman in the new Karnataka Cabinet sworn in today. Deeply disappointed that there isn’t one,” Alva said in a post on X.

Of the 13 ministers sworn in alongside Shivakumar, 11 were members of the previous Siddaramaiah government.

Former Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader and MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, were the only new entrants in the Cabinet.

Senior Dalit leader G. Parameshwara was appointed Deputy Chief Minister.

Notably, Lakshmi Hebbalkar was the only woman minister in the previous Siddaramaiah government, but no woman legislator found a place in the first batch of ministers under the Shivakumar-led administration.

With several Cabinet positions yet to be filled, political observers expect the issue of women’s representation to remain a key factor during future expansions of the ministry.