After days of deliberations and lobbying, the much-awaited Cabinet expansion is likely to take place on Monday evening with the Karnataka government learnt to have informally sought time from Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot for the swearing-in of new Ministers at Lok Bhavan.

While the list containing names of the legislators to be sworn in is expected to reach Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday morning from the Congress Central leadership, party sources said that many of the chosen legislators could be intimated soon after the list arrives.

Sources said that though the Central leadership had preferred Saturday for the swearing-in with the list being ready, it had been postponed for an ‘astrologically favourable day’, which happens to be Monday. “Informally, the government has sought time between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday from the Governor,” sources said.

On Sunday, when presspersons asked Mr. Shivakumar about the absence of the Governor in Bengaluru, he said that Mr. Gehlot will be returning on Monday.

Sources said that speculation about who would be lucky to enter the Cabinet has been doing the rounds, but the leaders have been tight-lipped over the names. “The lists carried by Mr. Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are believed to have undergone changes as the party is looking to bring in a balance.”

The party is walking a tightrope with over 50 legislators aspiring to be Ministers, and its decision has to take into account regional, caste and community equations. “One of the important criteria has been the winnable factor in the next elections and their influence in their region to help other party candidates win in the 2028 elections,” sources said.

Sources said that competition is intense among Muslim legislators from Bengaluru that has turned out to be a stress point with elections to five corporations in Greater Bengaluru Authority region expected to be held shortly. “Similarly, with the KPCC president post going to B.K. Hariprasad, an OBC, demand for a higher share for Lingayats has emerged and there are many competing forces within the community. Some senior legislators are also lobbying for the post of the Speaker.”

The list has been drawn considering the post of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council, sources added.

Published - August 03, 2026 12:16 am IST