Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar is set to take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, June 3, marking a major milestone in his political career and ending months of speculation over the state’s leadership.
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot will administer the oath of office and secrecy at 4.05 pm at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan. Several ministers are also expected to be sworn in during the first phase of cabinet formation, though the final list has not yet been announced.
An eight-time MLA and a prominent Vokkaliga leader, Shivakumar was elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party on May 30 after Siddaramaiah stepped down as Chief Minister. The leadership change followed directions from the Congress high command.
Speaking to reporters after returning to Bengaluru from New Delhi on Tuesday night, Shivakumar said media reports about probable ministers were only speculation and that the final decision would be taken by the party leadership.
“The high command will send the list of names. We will discuss it and give our opinion, but the final decision will be made in Delhi,” he said.
After the swearing-in ceremony, Shivakumar is expected to chair his first cabinet meeting. He will later interact with Congress office-bearers, district and block presidents, members of the party’s Guarantee Committee and other invited leaders at Bharat Jodo Bhavan.
Senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, are expected to attend the ceremony. Chief Ministers and leaders from Congress-ruled states and INDIA bloc partners are also likely to be present.
The event was originally planned as a large public function at Vidhana Soudha but was shifted to Lok Bhavan and scaled down due to concerns over traffic and crowd management in Bengaluru.
Sources said representatives from various sections of society, including farmers, labourers, women self-help groups, civic workers and pro-Kannada organisations, have been invited. Students from a government school in Doddaalahalli, Shivakumar’s native village in Kanakapura, are also expected to attend.
Ahead of the ceremony, several rounds of discussions were held in New Delhi between the Congress leadership, Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah regarding the formation of the new ministry. With the Karnataka cabinet having a maximum strength of 34 members, lobbying by ministerial aspirants has intensified in recent days.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police have made extensive security arrangements around Lok Bhavan. Entry has been restricted to invited guests because of limited seating capacity, and traffic advisories have been issued across the city.
Considering the expected crowd and traffic congestion, the Karnataka government has also declared a half-day holiday for employees working at Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha and the Multi-Storeyed Government Office Building.