Will Santosh Lad retain cabinet berth?

Hubbali

With the Congress high command set to formally elect its Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader on Saturday, strong indications suggest that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar could emerge as the next Chief Minister of Karnataka. As political developments gather pace in Bengaluru, Congress aspirants from Dharwad district have intensified lobbying efforts to secure a berth in the new cabinet.

According to sources within the party, Hubballi Dharwad East MLA Prasad Abbayya, Navalgund MLA N.H. Konaraddi, and senior leader Santosh Lad are among the prominent aspirants from the region hoping to find a place in the ministry headed by the new Chief Minister. Among them, Santosh Lad remains one of the strongest contenders.

Lad had earlier served as Labour Minister in the Sidda ramaiah-led government and is widely regarded as an influential leader from the Maratha community. However, political observers are closely watching whether he will retain ministerial prominence if D.K. Shivakumar assumes the top post, especially given Lad’s perceived proximity to Siddaramaiah and his open support for the former Chief Minister during internal party developments.

Despite factional equations within the Congress, many party workers believe Lad’s chances re main strong. His sup porters argue that his administrative experience, grassroots influence, and strong image as a pro labour leader make him difficult to ignore during cabinet formation. During his previous tenure as a cabinet minister, Lad had drawn attention for aggressively advocating labour welfare issues and maintaining a strong connect with workers and trade unions.

Meanwhile, Hubballi Dharwad East MLA Prasad Abbayya, who recently secured a hat-trick victory from the constituency, has openly expressed his desire to become a minister for the first time. Abbayya maintains that his long political experience and or ganisational contributions make him a deserving candidate for the post.

Abbayya previously served as Chairman of the Karnataka Slum Development Board and also headed LIDKAR. His supporters believe his consistent electoral success and administrative background could work in his favour during the cabinet selection process. Navalgund MLA N.H. Konaraddi is another strong aspirant from the district.

Although he enjoys considerable support within local Congress circles, party in siders point out that being a first-time Congress MLA could affect his chances of immediate induction into the cabinet. Political dynamics in Dharwad district have also changed significantly following the disqualification of Dharwad Rural MLA Vinay Kulkarni from the Assembly. Kulkarni had built consid erable influence within the party that extended be yond factional alignments. With his absence from the legislature, tively less in tense