D.K. Shivakumar to Take Oath as Karnataka's New Chief Minister on June 3

D.K. Shivakumar is poised to be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka on June 3 at 3:30 PM. The ceremony, advised by his astrologer, will take place at the Raj Bhavan's glass house. In a move to prioritize public convenience, the Congress party has chosen a simple event over a grand celebration, reflecting their commitment to serving the citizens. This leadership change marks a significant moment in Karnataka's political landscape, with Shivakumar being unanimously elected as the leader of the Congress legislative party. As the focus shifts to the formation of the new cabinet, the political dynamics in the state are set to evolve.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 31, 2026, 13:00 IST

Oath Ceremony Scheduled for June 3

D.K. Shivakumar is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on June 3 at 3:30 PM in the Raj Bhavan's glass house. Party officials have confirmed that this date and time were chosen after consulting with Shivakumar's personal astrologer, Belur Dwarkanath.

Aauspicious Timing at 4 PM

Believing strongly in astrology, D.K. Shivakumar was advised to take his oath during an auspicious moment around 4:05 PM that day. This timing was selected to ensure that prominent leaders like Rahul Gandhi and AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra could attend the ceremony. Sources within the party noted that Priyanka Gandhi played a crucial role in the discussions surrounding the leadership transition in the state.

Simple Ceremony Instead of Grand Event

Despite the significant political implications of this event, the Congress party has opted for a modest ceremony. G.C. Chandrashekar, the state Congress working president, stated, "Initially, we considered hosting the event on the grand steps of the Vidhan Soudha, expecting 15,000 to 20,000 attendees. However, due to rising inflation and fuel prices affecting the public, we decided to cancel the large gathering."

Prioritizing Public Convenience

Chandrashekar further emphasized that D.K. Shivakumar insisted on keeping the event simple to reflect the party's commitment to serving the public. Since June 3 is a working day, the party aims to prevent any traffic congestion or inconvenience for the citizens.

Unanimous Selection of Legislative Party Leader

Earlier on Saturday, during a meeting at the Vidhan Soudha, D.K. Shivakumar was unanimously elected as the leader of the Congress legislative party. This marks the first significant leadership change in Karnataka Congress in 17 years, a position that had been held by Siddaramaiah during this period. Following the meeting, Shivakumar met with Governor Thawarchand Gehlot to stake his claim to form the government.

Siddaramaiah Proposed Shivakumar's Name

During the legislative party meeting, outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah proposed D.K. Shivakumar's name, which was supported by former Home Minister G. Parameshwara. Subsequently, all legislators unanimously approved the proposal. K.C. Venugopal, the party's organizational general secretary, made an official announcement regarding this decision. Attention now turns to the formation of the new cabinet.