Bengaluru, India – Karnataka's 13-member cabinet, which took oath on June 3, has officially received its portfolio assignments. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has opted to keep several critical departments under his direct purview, including finance, cabinet affairs, personnel and administrative reforms, intelligence, and all other unallocated portfolios.
The allocation, formally notified by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, distributes responsibilities among both seasoned politicians who held portfolios in the previous government and new ministers taking on fresh charges. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has been entrusted with the significant revenue and sports portfolios.
Among other key appointments, Priyank Kharge, who previously managed IT and biotechnology, now adds the home ministry to his responsibilities, though intelligence remains with the Chief Minister. He also retains IT, BT, and e-governance. KJ George continues in energy and also takes on tourism, while MB Patil retains large and medium industries and infrastructure development. Satish Jarkiholi remains the public works minister. Krishna Byre Gowda has been assigned the substantial Bengaluru urban development portfolio, overseeing the Greater Bengaluru Authority framework, five city corporations, BWSSB, and BMRCL.
Key Portfolio Allocations
- DK Shivakumar (CM): Finance, Cabinet Affairs, Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Intelligence, all unallocated portfolios
- G Parameshwara (Dy CM): Revenue, Sports
- KH Muniyappa: Food and Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs
- KJ George: Energy, Tourism
- MB Patil: Large and Medium Industries, Infrastructure Development
- Ramalinga Reddy: Major and Medium Irrigation
- Satish Jarkiholi: Public Works
- Krishna Byre Gowda: Greater Bengaluru Development (GBA, five city corporations, BWSSB, BMRCL)
- Priyank Kharge: Home (excluding intelligence), IT and BT, E-Governance
- UT Khader: Health and Family Welfare
- Eshwar Khandre: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj
- Yathindra Siddaramaiah: Urban Development (KUWSDB, KUIDFC, all UDAs and LPAs, excluding BDA, BMRDA, GBA commissionerate)
- Byrathi Suresh: Transport
- Sharan Prakash Patil: Medical Education and Skill Development
Reports from Congress sources indicated that the portfolio allocation process faced some delays due to dissatisfaction among certain ministers regarding their assigned departments. Ramalinga Reddy, for instance, reportedly expressed keen interest in the Bengaluru development portfolio, which was ultimately given to Krishna Byre Gowda. Despite these reports, Chief Minister Shivakumar affirmed that all decisions followed instructions from the Congress leadership.