Bengaluru, June 22 -- Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has alleged that the process of inducting legislators into the Karnataka Cabinet is being influenced by a "payment quota" system, triggering fresh political controversy over the delayed Cabinet expansion.

Addressing the media on Monday, the former Chief Minister claimed that Congress legislators aspiring for ministerial positions were being subjected to intense lobbying and financial demands. He specifically targeted Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, alleging that ministerial berths were being distributed through unofficial "management" and "payment" channels.

Kumaraswamy claimed that aspirants were allegedly being asked to contribute money in the name of the Congress high command. "There ...