D K Shivakumar Takes Oath as Karnataka Chief Minister Amid New Cabinet Formation
Shivakumar Sworn in as Chief Minister
Karnataka Governor Gehlot (left) administers the oath to state CM-designate DK Shivakumar (Photo: PTI)
Bengaluru, June 3: D K Shivakumar, the president of the Karnataka Congress, officially took the oath of office as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, marking a pivotal change in the state's leadership.
In addition to Shivakumar, 13 other legislators were sworn in as ministers in the newly formed Cabinet, with senior Congress figure G Parameshwara expected to take on the role of Deputy Chief Minister.
The oath-taking ceremony took place at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru, where Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oaths to Shivakumar and the other ministers.
Prominent Congress leaders were present at the event, including Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, and the outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
In a meaningful gesture, Shivakumar took his oath in the name of seer Gangadhar Ajja while holding a copy of the Constitution, while Parameshwara took his oath in the name of Dr B R Ambedkar.
The other ministers who joined the Cabinet include K H Muniyappa, K J George, M B Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, Satish Jarkiholi, Krishna Byregowda, Priyank Kharge, U T Khader, Eshwar Khandre, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Byrathi Suresh, and Sharan Prakash Patil.
Most of these ministers have prior governance experience, having served in the previous Congress government led by Siddaramaiah, with U T Khader and Yathindra Siddaramaiah being notable exceptions. Khader recently held the position of Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, while Yathindra, a Legislative Council member, is the son of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Shivakumar, aged 64, was chosen as the consensus candidate for the Chief Minister position after being elected as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party on May 30. His rise followed Siddaramaiah's resignation from the role on May 28. Before this, Shivakumar served as Deputy Chief Minister and was instrumental in the Congress's organizational efforts in Karnataka.
A well-known Vokkaliga leader with a robust political following in southern Karnataka, Shivakumar's appointment is viewed as a strategic move by the Congress to strengthen its support among key communities while ensuring stable governance.
The ceremony attracted a significant crowd of political figures and dignitaries. Senior Congress officials such as K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, along with chief ministers from Congress-led states, were in attendance.
Religious leaders from various faiths and heads of notable maths also participated, highlighting the event's inclusive spirit.
The guest list included representatives from diverse sectors of society, such as laborers, civic workers, farmer leaders, women's self-help groups, and pro-Kannada organizations.
In a personal touch, students from a government school in Doddaalahalli, Shivakumar's hometown in Kanakapura, were invited to witness this historic event.
The new administration takes charge at a time when Karnataka is grappling with challenges related to infrastructure development, job creation, rural distress, and urban governance. The Cabinet's composition reflects a mix of seasoned leaders and newcomers, as the Congress leadership aims to address regional, caste, and political dynamics.
With Shivakumar now leading the government, focus will shift to the distribution of portfolios and the administration's policy priorities in the upcoming weeks, as the Congress aims to fulfill its electoral commitments and bolster its position for future political challenges.