No Woman in DK Shivakumar’s First Cabinet, Congress Veteran Margaret Alva Voices Disappointment
The composition of Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s first Cabinet has triggered a debate over gender representation after no woman found a place among the 13 ministers sworn in on Wednesday.
While the Cabinet has been widely viewed as an attempt to balance regional, caste and factional interests within the Congress, the absence of female ministers has drawn criticism from senior party leader and former Governor Margaret Alva.
Taking to X, Alva congratulated Shivakumar on assuming office but expressed disappointment over the lack of women in the Cabinet.
“Congratulations to DK Shivakumar Ji on being sworn in as Karnataka CM. I wish him and his team success. I would have loved to have seen at least one Congress woman in the new Karnataka Cabinet that was sworn in. Deeply disappointed that there isn’t,” she wrote.
Her remarks have renewed discussions within political circles about women’s representation in government, particularly in a state where the Congress has often advocated greater political participation for women.
Shivakumar Begins New Innings as Chief Minister
DK Shivakumar was sworn in as Karnataka’s Chief Minister on Wednesday, formally taking charge after months of speculation over the state’s leadership transition. The development marks a significant milestone in the veteran Congress leader’s political career and ushers in a new phase for the party’s government in Karnataka.
Senior Congress leader G Parameshwara took oath as Deputy Chief Minister.
A total of 13 ministers were inducted into the Cabinet alongside the Chief Minister and his deputy. The list includes several experienced faces such as K H Muniyappa, K J George, M B Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, Satish Jarkiholi, Krishna Byregowda, Priyank Kharge, U T Khader, Eshwar Khandre, Byrathi Suresh and Sharan Prakash Patil.
Yathindra Siddaramaiah, MLC and son of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, was also among those sworn in as minister.
Notably, most members of the new Cabinet served in the previous Congress government, signalling continuity in governance despite the change in leadership.
First Cabinet Meeting Focuses on Youth Initiatives
Soon after the swearing-in ceremony, Shivakumar chaired his first Cabinet meeting in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The government announced a series of initiatives focused on young people and education. Among the key decisions was the introduction of free bus passes for students across the state.
The Cabinet also approved plans to establish 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas, aimed at promoting leadership development, social awareness and community engagement among young people. Even as the new government unveiled its first policy measures, attention remained focused on the composition of the Cabinet, with questions being raised about the absence of women ministers despite repeated calls for greater gender representation in politics.
Whether the Congress addresses those concerns through a future Cabinet expansion remains to be seen, but Margaret Alva’s remarks have ensured that the issue remains part of the conversation surrounding Shivakumar’s new administration.
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