Karnataka CM warns disgruntled MLAs following cabinet expansion

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah issued a warning to disgruntled MLAs that he would accept their resignations within minutes following the recent expansion of the state cabinet. This statement followed a day of protests in Bengaluru, where supporters of legislators who were not appointed as ministers gathered to express their dissatisfaction. Supporters of M Krishnappa, Priya Krishna, and Dinesh Gundu Rao gheraoed the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office, while legislators from Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts met to discuss their next steps.

The cabinet expansion involved the swearing-in of 19 new ministers, which triggered internal party friction. While KPCC chief B K Hariprasad attempted to pacify party workers by promising to relay their concerns to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister held meetings with the unhappy legislators at Vidhana Soudha. The situation remains tense as the party leadership faces pressure from those excluded from the new cabinet appointments.