Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said a woman minister will be inducted into the state cabinet within days.
The announcement follows significant criticism from opposition parties, including the BJP, regarding the lack of gender diversity in the government's recent leadership expansion.
Speaking at the India Today Karnataka Round Table, Shivakumar said the controversy surrounding the cabinet rejig. He described himself as a "harried man and a man in a hurry" while discussing the pace of governance and the selection process [2].
The expansion, which took place on Aug. 3, 2024 [4], saw a significant increase in the size of the administration. Reports on the number of new inductees vary, with sources citing between 19 [1] and 20 [2] new ministers. This expansion brought the total strength of the Karnataka council of ministers to 33 [1].
Despite the addition of nearly 20 members, no women were included in the initial expansion [1]. This omission drew sharp reactions from critics who argued that the Congress party has failed to reward the female electorate that supported its victory.
Shivakumar said the government remains committed to women's empowerment. "We will definitely have a woman minister soon," he said [1].
The Chief Minister used the round-table discussion to reassure the public that the current composition is temporary. He said that the need for swift governance led to the rapid induction of the current members, but emphasized that female representation is a priority for the administration.
“"We will definitely have a woman minister soon."”
The absence of women in a major cabinet expansion creates a political vulnerability for the Congress party in Karnataka, especially as the BJP uses the omission to challenge the party's stance on gender equality. By promising a swift appointment, Shivakumar is attempting to neutralize this narrative before it impacts public perception of his administration's inclusivity.
