DK Shivakumar Set To Take Charge As Karnataka CM Today, Ministers To Also Take Oath

The political landscape in Karnataka has intensified ahead of the formation of the new Congress government, with State Congress president D K Shivakumar set to be sworn in as Chief Minister on today at 4.05 pm at Lok Bhavan’s Glass House, along with several ministers, marking the formal beginning of the new administration.

Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot will administer the oath of office and secrecy. According to sources, around 12 to 14 ministers are likely to take oath in the first phase , though the final list has not been officially confirmed as discussions continue within the party leadership.

Shivakumar, 64, an eight-time MLA and one of the Congress party’s key strategists in South India, was elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party on May 30 . His elevation follows weeks of internal deliberations and a carefully managed leadership transition after the resignation of outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah , as directed by the Congress high command.

The swearing-in ceremony is expected to be relatively low-key , primarily due to concerns over traffic congestion in Bengaluru amid expected movement of party workers and supporters from across the state. However, elaborate arrangements have been made at the venue, including tight security deployment and LED screens at multiple locations for public viewing.

Senior Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, K C Venugopal, and Randeep Singh Surjewala , are expected to attend the ceremony. Leaders from Congress-ruled states as well as other INDIA bloc states are also likely to be present, underlining the political significance of the event.

Meanwhile, discussions in New Delhi over the composition of the Karnataka Council of Ministers have intensified. The state Cabinet has a sanctioned strength of 34, including the Chief Minister , and intense lobbying is underway among aspirants seeking ministerial berths in the new government.

At the same time, political activity in Karnataka has escalated over the Deputy Chief Minister post , with supporters of several senior leaders staging rallies, demonstrations, and public appeals across the state, turning the internal party process into a visible public contest.

Leaders whose supporters are being projected for the Deputy CM position include K H Muniyappa, G Parameshwara, Shivanand Patil, Priyank Kharge, Eshwar Khandre, H C Mahadevappa, Satish Jarkiholi, M B Patil , and Yathindra Siddaramaiah , son of outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

In Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Vijayapura, and Belagavi, supporters organised rallies, protests, and even special prayers backing their respective leaders for elevation. In several places, demonstrations included public displays of strength, banners, and appeals urging the party leadership to consider their preferred candidates for senior positions.

As the Cabinet formation process continues, speculation has also emerged about the possibility of more than one Deputy Chief Minister post , reflecting efforts to balance regional, caste, and political equations within the state unit.

With final negotiations still underway in Delhi and Bengaluru, the internal balance within the Karnataka Congress leadership remains under close watch. Even as preparations for Shivakumar’s swearing-in gather pace, the contest for key ministerial positions highlights the complex power-sharing dynamics shaping the new government.