Karnataka cabinet sworn in amid heated election promise controversy

On May 27th, two days after the Karnataka cabinet reached its full capacity of 34 members, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah distributed the portfolios, consolidating his influence by retaining significant roles. His deputy, DK Shivakumar, was appointed to manage Major and Medium Irrigation, along with the crucial Bengaluru City Development ministries. This move means Shivakumar will preside over key bodies like BBMP, BWSSB, BMRDA, BMRCL, and BDA.
This announcement marked the completion of cabinet formation, with 24 ministers having taken oath on May 27th, following the eight who took the oath alongside CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar on May 20th. The list of new ministers includes notables like Priyank Kharge, G Parameshwara, and HK Patil, who have been allocated vital roles, such as Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Home Ministry, and Law and Parliamentary Affairs, respectively.
The cabinet expansion followed consultations between the Chief Minister and Shivakumar with the party’s central leadership. In the May 10th elections for the 224-member Karnataka Assembly, Congress secured a significant win, bagging 135 seats and unseating the ruling BJP, which managed 66 seats. However, despite this victory, the Congress government now faces criticism from opposition parties and citizens, questioning the party’s commitment to its campaign guarantees. The BJP’s senior leader Basavaraj Bommai accused Congress of deceiving voters by attaching conditions to the five promises it made pre-election.
Doubts about the ruling Congress’ ability to implement these guarantees in full have been raised. Bommai stated that the true intentions of the new government would soon be revealed, implying that the promises were made without disclosing the necessary conditions.
Prior to the election, Congress promised five key guarantees to the people of Karnataka, including 200 units of free power to all households, Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the female heads of every family, 10 kg of free rice to every BPL household member, a monthly allowance for unemployed graduate youth and diploma holders, and free travel for women on public transport. The guarantees were agreed in principle at the first cabinet meeting on May 20th, with the Chief Minister indicating they would likely be enacted after the next cabinet meeting, scheduled for June 1.
As the deadline approaches, questions remain about whether the ruling Congress will fulfil its election promises. The BJP and other critics argue that the current government’s reluctance to clarify these promises indicates potential deception, casting a cloud of uncertainty over the Congress’ tenure in Karnataka.