Karnataka CM Shivakumar heads to Delhi amid cabinet row

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is traveling to New Delhi on Wednesday, June 10, for his first official visit since taking office, as his new administration grapples with persistent internal discontent over cabinet portfolios. The trip comes amid ongoing lobbying by legislators for ministerial positions and public dissatisfaction from at least one senior minister regarding his assigned responsibilities.

Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who was allocated the Bengaluru Development portfolio, has expressed significant reservations and has not yet formally assumed charge. Gowda has stated that without control over two key urban planning agencies—the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA)—the portfolio lacks the authority for effective governance. The Chief Minister has retained direct control of these bodies. Gowda argued that divided responsibility hinders accountability and effective administration. He has traveled to Delhi to discuss the matter with the Congress party leadership, seeking either control of the agencies or a different portfolio.

This development follows a recent cabinet crisis involving senior...