G Parameshwara set to be Karnataka deputy CM as Congress finalises DK Shivakumar cabinet: Sources

BENGALURU: Senior Congress leader G Parameshwara is set to be appointed Deputy chief minister in the new Karnataka government headed by chief minister-designate D K Shivakumar, sources said on Tuesday.

The decision emerged after a series of high-level meetings in New Delhi involving Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar, caretaker chief minister Siddaramaiah and other senior party leaders.

The discussions focused on cabinet formation, key organisational appointments and nominations for upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

Parameshwara, a prominent Dalit leader and former Karnataka Home Minister, is understood to have secured the backing of the party leadership amid competing demands for multiple Deputy Chief Minister posts.

The Congress leadership's move is expected to balance caste and regional equations while avoiding the creation of multiple power centres within the government.

Shivakumar is believed to have opposed the idea of additional deputy CMs, arguing it could create parallel power centres and generate unnecessary political controversy.

The swearing-in ceremony of Shivakumar as Karnataka's new chief minister is scheduled to take place at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru on June 3 at 4 pm.

Alongside him, at least 10-20 ministers are expected to take oath in the first phase, although the final list is yet to receive approval from the party high command.

According to party sources, discussions on cabinet formation have been prolonged due to parallel deliberations over the next Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, legislative council nominations and Rajya Sabha candidates.

The Congress leadership is also working to accommodate loyalists of both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah while ensuring representation across communities and regions.

Several senior leaders have been lobbying for cabinet berths and Deputy CM positions.

Supporters of K H Muniyappa, Priyank Kharge, Satish Jarkiholi, M B Patil, Eshwar Khandre, H C Mahadevappa and Siddaramaiah's son Yathindra have organised rallies, demonstrations and public campaigns demanding prominent roles in the new government.

The cabinet formation exercise comes after Siddaramaiah stepped down as chief minister last week, paving the way for the leadership transition agreed upon by the Congress high command after the government completed three years in office.

Speaking ahead of his swearing-in, Shivakumar said he would work with dedication and strive to take every section of society along.

He described his elevation as the result of years of hard work and reiterated his commitment to the Congress leadership.