D.K. Shivakumar to Take Oath as Karnataka's New Chief Minister
A New Chapter in Karnataka Politics
Today marks a significant milestone in Karnataka's political landscape as D.K. Shivakumar, the president of the Karnataka Congress and an eight-time MLA, is set to take the oath of office as the state's new Chief Minister. The ceremony will take place at the Raj Bhavan (Lok Bhavan) in Bengaluru, where a small cabinet will also be sworn in alongside him. Governor Thawarchand Gehlot will administer the oath at 4:05 PM in the historic 'Glass House' of Lok Bhavan. This event fulfills Shivakumar's long-cherished dream, as he is regarded as a major 'rescuer' for the Congress party in South India.
On May 30, Shivakumar was elected as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party in Karnataka. The official details regarding the number of ministers taking the oath remain unclear, but sources suggest that between 12 to 14 ministers may be sworn in. With this elevation to the top political position in the state, Shivakumar will realize a dream he has pursued through years of political struggle.
The power tussle between Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah regarding the Chief Minister position concluded last week when Siddaramaiah resigned from the role at the directive of the Congress high command. This resignation cleared the path for Shivakumar to assume office.
Upon arriving in Bengaluru from Delhi late Tuesday night, Shivakumar informed reporters that the names circulating in the media regarding ministerial positions are unofficial. He mentioned that the high command would send a list of names by 10 AM or noon on Wednesday, after which discussions would take place before finalizing the list to be sent to Lok Bhavan.
Shivakumar also indicated that the ground-breaking ceremony for the Congress building, scheduled for the evening, would be postponed to another day. Following the oath-taking, he plans to chair a cabinet meeting.
After bidding farewell to Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Shivakumar will meet with state Congress officials, block presidents, district presidents, and invitees at the Bharat Jodo Bhavan.
The oath-taking ceremony is expected to be relatively simple, primarily due to the anticipated influx of Congress workers and supporters from various parts of the state, which could disrupt traffic in Bengaluru during peak hours.
Sources indicate that Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and party general secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala may attend the event. Additionally, Chief Ministers from states governed by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), along with several state and central leaders, dignitaries, and invited guests, are expected to be present.
Religious leaders from all major communities and heads of various mathas have also been invited. According to officials, among the invitees are students from a government school in Doddalahalli, Kanakapura, Shivakumar's ancestral village, and representatives from various societal sectors, including laborers, civic employees, farmer leaders, women's self-help groups, and Kannada support organizations.
On Tuesday, a detailed discussion regarding the formation of the cabinet took place in New Delhi among the Congress high command, Shivakumar, and Siddaramaiah, with Kharge and Rahul Gandhi also participating. The approved capacity of the Karnataka cabinet, including the Chief Minister, is 34. In recent days, several leaders aspiring for ministerial positions have traveled to Delhi to present their claims. Extensive arrangements have been made for the oath-taking ceremony at Lok Bhavan.