The Karnataka government expanded its cabinet on Monday with 19 new ministers, none of whom are women [1].
The omission of female representation in the state's highest executive body raises questions about the Congress party's commitment to gender parity in governance. This development comes as the party seeks to maintain support among women voters who were instrumental in previous electoral successes.
Congress MLA Nayana Motamma questioned the complete absence of women in the expanded cabinet [2]. The swearing-in ceremony took place in Bengaluru, where the government added 19 members to the existing leadership [1].
Following this expansion, the total size of the cabinet has reached 33 members [1]. Despite the increase in personnel, the number of women ministers remains at zero [1].
Motamma said she had concerns over the lack of representation and questioned why women were excluded from these roles [2]. She said that women played a significant role in delivering the state to the Congress party, yet they are not represented in the current ministerial lineup [3].
The move to expand the cabinet was led by DK Shivakumar, but the decision to exclude women has sparked internal criticism within the party ranks [1]. The absence of a single woman in a 33-member body marks a significant gap in gender diversity for the Karnataka administration [1].
“The Karnataka government expanded its cabinet on Monday with 19 new ministers, none of whom are women.”
The exclusion of women from the Karnataka cabinet expansion may create a political liability for the Congress party. By failing to appoint women to ministerial positions despite a significant expansion, the administration risks alienating a key voting bloc and contradicting its own platform of inclusive governance.
