The new Karnataka cabinet, led by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, showcases a mix of castes and minority faces, reflecting the party's social engineering efforts.
Among the 14 ministers, nine hail from southern Karnataka, while five are from the northern part of the state.
The cabinet features two Vokkaliga ministers, three Lingayat ministers, three Dalit faces, two Kuruba leaders, and one minister each from the Reddy, Scheduled Tribe, Christian, and Muslim communities.
G Parameshwara, a key Dalit face, has been inducted as deputy CM, signaling the Congress's electoral calculations and social engineering efforts.
The cabinet also includes Priyank Kharge, the son of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and former Union railway minister KH Muniappa, both from the Dalit community.
Former speaker UT Khader and energy minister KJ George represent the two minority communities, while former chief minister Siddaramaiah's son Yathindra and Hebbal MLA Byrathi Suresh come from the Kuruba caste.
