'All 140 MLAs are my MLAs': DK Shivakumar responds to speculation around Karnataka CM's seat, possible cabinet reshuffle

On the eligibility of MLAs for ministerial positions, Shivakumar clarified, “All 140 MLAs are my MLAs. Making a group is not in my blood.''

Published on: Nov 21, 2025, 16:59:51 IST

By Shivya Kanojia

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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday responded to the speculation about internal party groups and cabinet reshuffles, saying he considers all 140 Congress MLAs as his own.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar responded to the speculation around cabinet reshuffles. (PTI)

Responding to questions about rising political activity within the party, Shivakumar said the chief minister has the authority to reshuffle the government and cabinet. “The CM decided to reshuffle the cabinet. Everyone wants to become a minister, so it is quite natural for them to meet the leadership in Delhi. It is their right. We can’t stop them and say no. The CM has said that he will complete 5 years. I wish him all the best. We will all work with him. Both the CM and me have time and again said we abide by the high command,” he said.

Shivakumar added that MLAs wanted to demonstrate their capabilities and readiness to take on responsibility.

On the eligibility of MLAs for ministerial positions, he clarified, “All 140 MLAs are my MLAs. Making a group is not in my blood.''

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Referring to reports of Karnataka MLAs meeting Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Shivakumar said he was unaware of any official dinner.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also emphasised that cabinet reshuffles are the prerogative of the party high command.

Shivakumar, who had recently hinted at stepping down as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, reassured party workers that he will remain a senior leader and continue guiding organisational work.

Google Trends

According to Google Trends, searches for “DK Shivakumar” surged sharply on Friday and remained high on Saturday, driven by the ongoing political power tussle in Karnataka. The spike was most prominent in Karnataka, which accounted for the highest interest, followed by searches from Bihar, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh. Related queries also reflected the curiosity around the developing situation, with users frequently looking up terms such as “DK Shivakumar tweet,” “DK Shivakumar business list,” and even “Revanth Reddy,” indicating wider political associations being explored by online users.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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