DK Shivakumar was sworn in as the chief minister of Karnataka on June 3, 2024 [3].
The appointment concludes a leadership tussle within the Congress party and allows the newly elected government to assume official control of the state [5].
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath of office and secrecy at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru [2]. Before the ceremony, Shivakumar greeted supporters who had gathered outside his residence in the city [4].
In a move signaling a desire for political stability, BJP leader and former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa met with Shivakumar prior to the event. Shivakumar said, "They have guided and worked for the state. All of us have to work together" [1].
The new administration includes G. Parameshwara as deputy chief minister. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, the son of former chief minister Siddaramaiah, is also expected to be sworn in [1].
Reports on the size of the initial cabinet vary. Some sources indicate 13 legislators will be sworn in alongside the chief minister [1], while other reports suggest 10 ministers are likely to be sworn in [5].
This transition marks the formal start of Shivakumar's tenure as he seeks to balance party interests while implementing his government's agenda for the state.
“"They have guided and worked for the state. All of us have to work together."”
The ascension of DK Shivakumar to the chief minister's office represents a strategic resolution to internal Congress party friction. By establishing a cabinet that includes key figures like G. Parameshwara and Yathindra Siddaramaiah, the administration is attempting to consolidate power and maintain stability in Karnataka's political landscape.
