‘Ministry expansion will be immediate if high command approves’: Deputy CM Parameshwara

BENGALURU: As top Karnataka leaders travel to Delhi amid deliberations over structural adjustments in the state government, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said the ministry expansion in Karnataka will be carried out “immediately” if the Congress high command gives its nod following discussions on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara said the names for the expansion have been finalised, but the formal intimation to the Governor will be made after considering the appropriate time. “If the high command gives permission after discussing it today, it will be immediate,” he said. “If the high command says yes, the name is clear, but here they will inform the governor after considering the time,” he added.

The Deputy CM said some parameters for the expansion are under discussion. “There is a discussion that more representation should be given to the youth, that can be considered,” he said.

ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಎಸ್‌ಐಆರ್‌ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆಗೆ ಅಗತ್ಯ ದಾಖಲೆಗಳನ್ನು ಜನರಿಗೆ ಸುಲಭವಾಗಿ ಒದಗಿಸುವ ಉದ್ದೇಶದಿಂದ ಮನೆ ಮನೆಗೆ ಉಚಿತ ಜಾತಿ ಪ್ರಮಾಣಪತ್ರ ಹಾಗೂ ಶಾಶ್ವತ ನಿವಾಸ ಪ್ರಮಾಣಪತ್ರ ವಿತರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ.

ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ವಿವಿಧ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯಲು ಮತ್ತು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಮೂಲ ನಿವಾಸಿ ಎಂದು ಸಾಬೀತು ಪಡಿಸಲು ಜನರಿಗೆ ಸುಲಭವಾಗಿಸುವ ನಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ… pic.twitter.com/mJu0iIS9r3

— Dr. G Parameshwara (@DrParameshwara) July 20, 2026

Asked about the timing of the expansion ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections, Parameshwara said he was not aware of any such calculation. “Ministry expansion issue keeping in mind the 2028 calculation. I am not aware of that, I was not invited. They will discuss it, this may also come up in it,” he said. “When I was the KPCC president, the same formula was applied. We have to see what parameters they keep and do it,” he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister also defended the state government’s decision to issue Permanent Residence Certificates (PRC), dismissing BJP objections by pointing out that foundational residency and caste documents have long been issued by local tahsildars. “Before also caste certificates were issued by tehsildars. Have we done anything new now? They only need to understand. Why did we make the system?” he asked.

He said the move was aimed at facilitating the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. “They asked for caste certificate and residence certificate while doing SIR. We are giving it officially from the government. I don’t think there is anything wrong with it,” he said.

On how PRC facilitates the SIR process, the Deputy CM said 13 documents have been sought during the exercise and several people do not possess all of them. “13 documents asked in the SIR process. Some people don’t have everything. We are giving PRC to facilitate them,” Parameshwara said.

He rejected the opposition’s claim that the move would benefit people from other states. “The opposition had said in the House itself whether they are giving more benefits to people from other states. I myself have given the answer many times when I was the Home Minister. Giving documents only to those who have been in Bengaluru for 10 years. This is not to facilitate people from other states. We are not going against the norms of the central government,” he said.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, former CM Siddaramaiah, and KPCC president BK Hariprasad are travelling to New Delhi by a special flight to finalise the long-pending expansion of the state cabinet after the leadership change in the state. The visit is expected to settle the list of names and portfolios before the expansion is formally announced.

Shivakumar took over as Chief Minister on June 3, succeeding Siddaramaiah, with the state cabinet functioning well below its strength since then. The current Shivakumar cabinet, following Siddaramaiah’s resignation, consists of 14 members, including Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara.

Priyank Kharge was given the Home Affairs portfolio, while Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra Siddaramaiah became the Minister for Urban Development. Over the past few weeks, several community representatives, religious mutts, seers, and followers have been publicly pressing for cabinet berths for their respective MLAs. Multiple delegations have also met senior leaders in Bengaluru and Delhi.

In Ballari, supporters of Kampli MLA JN Ganesh recently staged a march demanding a ministerial post. A senior AICC functionary said, “The party is aware of the aspirations of all legislators. But decisions will be based on regional balance, social representation, and performance, not pressure tactics”. Meanwhile, on reports that Hariprasad may be inducted as a minister, he added, “I don’t know about it. The high command will decide’.

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday had met with former CM Siddaramaiah at his residence in Bengaluru amid cabinet expansion speculations. A meeting was held with former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and discussions were conducted,” Shivakumar wrote on X, sharing a glimpse of the meeting.

A decision on the cabinet expansion is likely to be taken after discussions with the party’s top leadership. (ANI)