Yathindra’s portfolio includes urban water supply and drainage board, urban infrastructure development and finance corporation, all urban development authorities and local planning authorities excluding BDA, BMRDA and GBA Commissioner for Town and Country Planning.
The governor will issue an announcement tonight.”
The Chief Minister said that he has followed all the instructions issued by the Congress leadership in finalizing the allocation of departments.
Congress sources said the portfolio allocation was delayed due to the displeasure of some ministers over the portfolios being offered to them.
Sources indicated that Ramalinga Reddy, MLA from Bengaluru’s BTM Layout constituency, had aspired for the Bengaluru development portfolio.
It is learned that Shivakumar was keen to assign the department to Krishna Byre Gowda, MLA from Byatarayanapura.
Reddy is said to have reminded Shivakumar and former chief minister Siddaramaiah of an assurance given in 2023 that he would be considered for the portfolio during an upcoming cabinet reshuffle.
Congress sources said the senior leader openly expressed his displeasure over the issue.
Among the criticisms on the lack of representation of women in the cabinetDK Shivakumar said that there are some vacancies in the ministry and that the opportunities will be provided in the coming days.
“Let them (BJP) wait, there are many vacancies. Last time too, there was no woman in the first round.
We are all there,” Shivakumar told reporters in response to a question on the opposition’s criticism of the lack of women in the cabinet.
Expressing that the Congress government has implemented several schemes for women, he said that “We have set a model in the country”.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar said Rahul Gandhi would visit Bengaluru for the filing of Rajya Sabha nomination papers by party president Mallikarjun Kharge.
He also said that four candidates for the Legislative Council will present their proposals on Friday, while the name of the fifth candidate will be announced after consultations within the party.
Sources also indicated that a second phase of cabinet expansion may take place on June 10, though the Congress leadership is yet to officially confirm any plans.
(With data from PTI)
