Karnataka cabinet portfolios allocated, but disgruntlement remains

The portfolios were allocated for the newly sworn-in Ministers of the DK Shivakumar-led Karnataka Cabinet late on Thursday, June 5, 2026, after hours of uncertainty, intense negotiations and discontent among some Ministers.

Mr. Shivakumar retained Finance and gave up the much-discussed and coveted Bengaluru Development portfolio, which he held as Deputy Chief Minister. Krishna Byre was handed over to Gowda. Senior Minister and eight-time legislator Ramalinga Reddy, who requested the portfolio, was given the Major and Medium Irrigation portfolio. Unhappy, he had threatened to quit earlier in the day.

Priyank Kharge will be the new Home Minister who will also be responsible for IT and IT and e-governance. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara was given Revenue and Sports, while Eshwar Khandre was given Rural Development and Panchayat Raj. Transport was given to Byrathi Suresh.

First-time Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, gets Urban Development (except Bengaluru).

Satish Jharkiholi, KH Muniyappa and MB Patil are eligible to retain Public Works, Food and Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Major and Heavy Industries, Infrastructure Development respectively, which they headed in the Siddaramaiah-led government. KJ George is taking Tourism as well as the Energy he previously held. Sharan Prakash Patil also retained his earlier portfolios of Medical Education and Skill Development. UT Khader, who resigned as Speaker to join the cabinet, received Health and Family Welfare.

Allocation of the Bengaluru Development portfolio is likely to remain a contentious issue, especially ahead of the upcoming local elections in Bengaluru. Mr. Shivakumar had been in office as Deputy Chief Minister since the Congress government came to power in 2023.

It is understood the problems began late on Wednesday night when new Ministers were informally told about the portfolio they had been allocated. Mr. Reddy, one of the most senior Congress leaders in Bengaluru, is learned to have expressed disappointment after being told that he would get a “significant portfolio” but the Bengaluru development would be given to Mr. Gowda.

Sources close to him said he was promised by Mr Shivakumar that he would be given the portfolio but this did not happen, leaving him dismayed.