Last Updated:
“The high command is trying all options to accomodate a woman minister, I think it will be done,” says Karnataka Congress chief BK Hariprasad
DK Shivakumar inducted 19 ministers into the Karnataka cabinet. (PTI FILE)
Karnataka Congress chief BK Hariprasad spoke exclusively to CNN-News18 about the cabinet expansion, dissatisfaction among senior leaders and women’s representation in the House.
Gayathri Shanthegowda, a Congress MLC, was the only woman included in the high command’s approved list of 20 ministers. Dropped at the last minute, her name was withheld just before the August 3, 2026, swearing-in ceremony due to a legal dispute surrounding her Legislative Council election victory in Chikkamagaluru.
19 male ministers were sworn in instead, bringing the total cabinet strength to 33, but leaving it completely devoid of female representation.
ON NO WOMAN MINISTER APPOINTED YET
“There is some confusion over the caste factor. Obviously, she had not taken oath as an MLC, and that was the reason she was asked to stay back. Now, as we have to accommodate a woman and the high command is trying all options, I think a woman will be accommodated.”
ON WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS
“Dropping one name will not end what the organisation stands for, whichever state it may be. Women’s reservation is already at 33 per cent. Sonia Gandhiji took charge as AICC president in 1998 and reserved 33 per cent for women. After Rahul Gandhi took over, it has been increased to 50 per cent. There should not be any doubt about our intentions or commitment towards the women of this country.”
ON WHY NO WOMAN MINISTER YET?
“Politics and power politics are entirely different. How many women are there in the BJP? And look at how many states they have. It is not that we lack interest in accommodating women. Political compulsions are there, and women will be accommodated in the future.”
SENIOR LEADERS UPSET?
“I don’t think there will be any change. For two-and-a-half years, Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister. At that point of time, we had senior leaders who had completed five or six terms. No other political party has such senior leaders. Naturally, they will feel hurt or left out. We are trying to accommodate them in different ways — in the organisation and in various government positions. Definitely, we will accommodate them.”
ON SENIOR MLAS THREATENING RESIGNATION
“They said they would resign, but nobody has resigned. As far as senior leaders and ministers are concerned, they have been ministers for three years. Other MLAs who are quite senior also expect a ministerial berth for one and a half years. So, the Congress high command will take a call.”
ON TROUBLESHOOTING CABINET ISSUE IN KARNATAKA
“There is no problem at all. Leaders have expressed their dissatisfaction about what has happened. We are speaking to them. Things will be all right.”
WILL MINISTERS BE DROPPED?
No. Those are all rumours. We will sort it out, talk to the seniors and resolve the issue.
ASSEMBLY SESSION & PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION
Everything will be done before August 13. Allocation of ministries will be completed before the Assembly session.
IS ALL WELL IN CONGRESS?
There is no problem at all.
About the Author
Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18’s digital platform. She has previously wor…Read More
August 09, 2026, 13:03 IST
Read More
