Overview
- The Congress high command phoned Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and instructed him not to meet groups of leaders, MLAs or MLCs who lobby for ministerial posts.
- Party officials warned of zero tolerance for protests, pressure from supporters and interventions by religious figures after recent public lobbying that embarrassed the party.
- Shivakumar has said cabinet selections are made by the party’s central leadership and his role is to implement the list they provide.
- The high command told Shivakumar that decisions on expanding the ministry will be taken later by the central leadership and that repeated lobbying will be viewed seriously.
- The dispute highlights how ministerial berths serve as tools of patronage and caste and regional balancing in Karnataka and could fuel local discontent among aspirants if appointments are delayed.