Karnataka Cabinet Expansion Next Week? CM Shivakumar Drops Big Hint

Will Karnataka see a Cabinet expansion next week? CM D.K. Shivakumar has dropped a major hint while asking Ministers to put politics aside and focus on the state's worsening drought crisis.

Post Published By: Ayushi Bisht

Updated : 26 July 2026, 8:49 AM IST

State Cabinet is likely to be expanded next week (Img: X)

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has indicated that the state Cabinet is likely to be expanded next week, while urging Ministers to put politics aside and focus on tackling the worsening drought situation.

Speaking during a Bengaluru Regional Division-level development review meeting in Chitradurga, the Chief Minister said the government's immediate priority is to ensure relief reaches farmers and rural communities affected by water scarcity.

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Collective Effort Needed to Tackle Drought

Shivakumar said that once the Cabinet expansion is completed, all Ministers should work together to assess drought conditions across the state. He stressed that protecting farmers from further hardship is the government's responsibility and called for coordinated action to address challenges related to drinking water, fodder and crop losses.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister visited drought-hit agricultural fields in Chitradurga district, where officials briefed him on the impact of inadequate rainfall. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara and other senior leaders accompanied him during the inspection.

Focus on Governance and Public Welfare

The Chief Minister also outlined administrative reforms aimed at improving governance. He asked Ministers and officials to function as "Team Karnataka" and ensure that government services reach people at the grassroots level. District in-charge Ministers have been directed to organise public grievance meetings twice every month and visit every Assembly constituency, regardless of political affiliation, to resolve local issues.

Water Supply, Crop Insurance and Transparency

Shivakumar instructed district administrations to ensure there is no shortage of drinking water for people or livestock. He also directed officials to maintain transparency in drought-relief measures, including documenting borewell projects and monitoring relief work.

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Appealing to farmers, he advised them against sowing crops based solely on expectations of future rainfall or reservoir releases and urged officials to promote crop insurance schemes to minimise financial losses.

Assembly Session Likely in August

The Chief Minister said the Karnataka Assembly session is expected to begin on August 6 or during the second week of August. He also noted that the state is exploring the use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for rural development projects and school infrastructure while continuing efforts to address the drought crisis.