# Karnataka cabinet without women draws BJP protest

2026-08-12T23:53:10+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

BJP legislators staged a dharna in Bengaluru on August 14 to protest Karnataka’s all-male 33-member Cabinet, a first in recent history. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had earlier told the media there was 'no urgency' to include a woman, though he assured one vacant slot would go to a woman. Congress, which nationally pushes for 33% women’s reservation, dropped Gayathri Shanthegowda from the approved list before swearing-in. Only 10 women were elected to the 224-member assembly in 2023. Women voters outnumbered men in 17 of 34 electoral divisions.

## Coverage

- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-long-wait-for-a-woman-minister-in-karnataka/article71337908.ece>
- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/congress-has-shown-anti-women-attitude-by-keeping-them-out-of-karnataka-ministry-says-bjp/article71344899.ece>

Tags: Congress, DK Shivakumar, gender politics, Karnataka Cabinet, State government, women representation
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