Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar on Wednesday took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, marking the culmination of a long political journey and fulfilling his ambition to lead the southern state. The 64-year-old Vokkaliga leader was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at 4:05 PM at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru.
Popularly known as “DK Shi,” Shivakumar was elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party on May 30 following the resignation of outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. His elevation comes after years of political maneuvering and a prolonged power-sharing tussle within the state Congress leadership.
Siddaramaiah stepped down last week in accordance with the directions of the Congress high command, paving the way for Shivakumar, widely regarded as the party’s chief troubleshooter in South India, to assume the state's highest political office.
Alongside Shivakumar, senior Congress leader G Parameshwara took oath as Deputy Chief Minister. A 14-member council of ministers was also sworn in during the ceremony.
The ministers inducted into the cabinet include KH Muniyappa, KJ George, MB Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, Satish Jarkiholi, Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, UT Khader, Eshwar Khandre, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Byrathi Suresh, and Sharan Prakash Patil. Except for UT Khader and Yathindra Siddaramaiah, all were part of the outgoing Siddaramaiah-led cabinet. Khader had served as Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, while Yathindra is the son of Siddaramaiah and enters the cabinet for the first time.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Minister Shivakumar said he would immediately chair a cabinet meeting. He also announced plans to meet Congress office-bearers, block presidents, district presidents, members of the Guarantee Committee, and party workers at Bharat Jodo Bhavan after bidding farewell to Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of several senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal, and Randeep Singh Surjewala. Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled states and leaders from INDIA bloc parties also attended the event, underscoring its political significance.
The swearing-in ceremony was marked by elaborate arrangements and extensive security measures. Congress flags and large banners featuring senior party leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar, KC Venugopal, Randeep Singh Surjewala, and Siddaramaiah, adorned the areas around Vidhana Soudha and Lok Bhavan.
The stretch between Vidhana Soudha and Lok Bhavan was lined with party flags, while LED screens were installed at multiple locations to enable the public to watch the proceedings. Authorities deployed tight security around the venue, erecting barricades and regulating traffic in anticipation of large crowds.
With Shivakumar now at the helm, the Congress leadership hopes to consolidate its position in Karnataka and strengthen its political footing ahead of future electoral challenges. His tenure as Chief Minister will be closely watched, both within the party and across the national political landscape.
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