Politics – DK Shivakumar Set to Assume Karnataka Leadership Amid Celebrations
Politics – Congress leaders and supporters across Karnataka marked a significant political moment on Wednesday as preparations intensified for the swearing-in of DK Shivakumar as the state’s next Chief Minister. In his home constituency of Kanakapura, party workers gathered in large numbers, offering special prayers and celebrating the occasion with banners, posters, and congratulatory displays near the senior leader’s residence.
Enthusiasm Builds Ahead of Oath Ceremony
The official oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to take place at 4 pm at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru. The event will formally mark the beginning of Shivakumar’s tenure as Chief Minister following the completion of the leadership transition process within the Congress party. Supporters described the day as an important milestone for both the party and the state.
The change in leadership comes after outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation, paving the way for the new administration. Party leaders have spent the past several days coordinating the transition and finalising key decisions related to governance and cabinet formation.
Cabinet Expansion Expected in Multiple Stages
Senior Congress figures indicated that the formation of the new ministry is likely to happen in phases rather than all at once. According to Congress MLA TB Jayachandra, the party leadership has already outlined a schedule for inducting ministers into the cabinet.
Jayachandra said that a group of ministers is expected to take the oath alongside Shivakumar during the first phase. He noted that additional appointments may be announced later, considering ongoing electoral commitments, including Legislative Council and Rajya Sabha elections that are scheduled to continue until June 18.
Party leaders suggested that the staggered approach would allow the Congress leadership to complete other political responsibilities before expanding the ministry further.
Leaders Express Confidence in New Administration
Congress MP Prabha Mallikarjun expressed optimism ahead of the ceremony, saying party members were eagerly looking forward to seeing Shivakumar formally take charge. She also welcomed the expected induction of the first set of ministers, describing it as the beginning of a new chapter for the state government.
Across Karnataka, party workers continued celebrations throughout the day, reflecting confidence in the incoming administration and its ability to deliver on governance priorities.
Portfolio Decisions Yet to Be Finalised
While discussions regarding ministerial appointments have progressed, Congress MLA Basvaraj Rayareddi clarified that decisions on specific portfolios are still pending. He said the selection process would not be determined solely by seniority and that several considerations would be taken into account before responsibilities are assigned.
His remarks indicate that the party leadership is evaluating a range of factors as it works to establish a balanced and effective cabinet structure.
High Command Maintains Final Authority
On Tuesday, Shivakumar addressed speculation surrounding cabinet appointments and urged patience, stating that the Congress high command would release the official list of ministers before the swearing-in ceremony.
The preparations follow a key meeting held in New Delhi involving Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, DK Shivakumar, and Siddaramaiah. During the discussions, party leaders reviewed cabinet appointments, Rajya Sabha nominations, and other organisational matters linked to the transition of power in Karnataka.
With the oath ceremony now set to take place, attention remains focused on the composition of the first cabinet and the direction the new government will take in the coming weeks