India, Aug. 4 -- Chief minister DK Shivakumar has expanded his Cabinet without altering the Congress' core social coalition, retaining the party's traditional support among Lingayats and Vokkaligas while increasing representation for Scheduled Castes and Muslims.

An analysis of the 33 member ministry shows that Lingayats remain the single largest community in the Cabinet with seven ministers, accounting for 21.2% of the ministry. Vokkaligas, CM's own community, continue to hold five berths, or 15.2%, preserving the representation of Karnataka's two dominant political communities.

Congress leaders familiar with the discussions said the leadership sought continuity rather than a wholesale restructuring of the ministry. "The objective was ...