The Congress leadership is expected to unveil the first set of ministers alongside DK Shivakumar’s swearing-in, with a broader cabinet expansion likely after June 18.
Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar is scheduled to take oath in Bengaluru on Wednesday along with the first batch of ministers in the new Congress government. | IANS
After years of being one of the Congress party’s most influential organisers in Karnataka, DK Shivakumar is set to take oath as the state’s Chief Minister on Wednesday evening, formally ushering in a new leadership phase in the southern state.
The swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for 4.05 pm at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru, is expected to draw top Congress leaders from across the country and mark the beginning of a carefully managed transition following the exit of Siddaramaiah from the top post. Alongside Shivakumar, a first batch of ministers is also expected to be inducted into the new government.
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Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Shivakumar and members of his cabinet. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala are among the senior leaders expected to attend.
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The ceremony has been designed as a broad-based political and social outreach exercise. Invitations have been extended not only to party leaders and elected representatives but also to women’s self-help groups, farmers, civic workers, youth leaders, students, religious leaders, industrialists, artists, representatives of Dalit and backward class organisations, daily wage workers, sportspersons and members of the film industry.
Even as preparations for the oath-taking gathered pace, Congress leaders indicated that the formation of the new cabinet may take place in stages.
Congress MLA TB Jayachandra told ANI that the party leadership has broadly finalised the process, with a limited group of ministers expected to take oath alongside the Chief Minister on Wednesday.
“The high command has finalised that DK Shivakumar will take over as the CM. I am told that the first batch of ministers is likely to take the oath with the Chief Minister. With the Legislative Council and Rajya Sabha elections continuing until June 18, a second batch of cabinet formation is likely only after that. Then only there will be a full government,” Jayachandra said.
Congress MP Prabha Mallikarjun also expressed confidence ahead of the ceremony, saying party workers were eagerly awaiting the swearing-in.
The final shape of the cabinet remains unclear, with Congress leaders maintaining that consultations are still underway.
Congress MLA Basvaraj Rayareddi said no decision had yet been taken on portfolio allocation and that seniority alone would not determine ministerial appointments.
According to Rayareddi, the party leadership will consider multiple factors before finalising the cabinet, and those selected are likely to be informed shortly before the swearing-in ceremony.
On Tuesday, Shivakumar himself dismissed media speculation over possible ministerial picks and said the official list would be released by the Congress high command.
“The names appearing in the media regarding the selection of ministers are not official. The high command leaders will release the list of ministers tomorrow at 10 am or noon,” he told reporters in Bengaluru.
He added that while state leaders had shared their views, the final decision would be taken by the party leadership in Delhi before being sent to Raj Bhavan.
Ahead of taking office, Shivakumar described his elevation as a victory for Congress workers and said he remained conscious of the challenges that lay ahead.
“The party has allowed a worker, not a leader. I am deeply obliged by the faith and confidence reposed in me,” he said.
Calling his rise to the Chief Minister’s post a result of perseverance and hard work, Shivakumar remarked that the opportunity may have come late, but had not been denied.
“It has been a tough journey. Though it was delayed, it was not denied. This is not about Shivakumar alone; it is about every Congress worker who stood by the party and believed in its democratic traditions,” he said.
The Chief Minister-designate also promised an inclusive administration focused on farmers, women and young people, asserting that a “new era for youth” would begin in Karnataka under his leadership.
The swearing-in follows a key meeting in Delhi on Tuesday involving Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar and outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, where discussions were held on cabinet formation, Rajya Sabha nominations and organisational restructuring.
The leadership transition formally gathered momentum after Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation as Chief Minister. In a parallel development, the All India Congress Committee appointed him as a member of the Congress Working Committee with immediate effect.
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