The newly formed 13-member cabinet under DK Shivakumar faces criticism for the total absence of women ministers. Despite having nine women legislators, including experienced leaders like Umashree and Laxmi Hebbalkar, none were inducted. This exclusion has sparked a political debate regarding the party's commitment to gender representation while balancing regional and caste equations. https://www.kannadaprabha.com/politics/2026/Jun/04/dk-shivakumars-first-cabinet-draws-scrutiny-over-absence-of-women-ministers #creator program