D. K. Shivakumar took the oath of office as the chief minister of Karnataka on June 3, 2026 [1].
The appointment follows a week-long internal power tussle within the Karnataka Congress party [5]. This leadership transition marks a critical shift in the state's administration as the party seeks to stabilize its governance after a period of internal friction.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru [1, 2]. During the proceedings, Shivakumar was seen holding the Constitution of India while taking the oath [6]. He was sworn in alongside 13 other ministers who will form the new state cabinet [2].
Reports on the historical sequence of Karnataka's leadership vary. IndiaTV News said Shivakumar is the 18th chief minister of the state [2], while MSN said he is the 25th [6].
The event was marked by public displays of patriotism, with crowds chanting "Vande Mataram" as the new administration assumed power [6]. The appointment of the cabinet is intended to resolve the leadership hurdles that had previously stalled the party's regional operations [5].
Shivakumar now leads the state government with a mandate to implement the party's legislative agenda. The transition comes at a time when the Karnataka Congress is focusing on internal cohesion to maintain its grip on the state's political landscape [5].
“D. K. Shivakumar took the oath of office as the chief minister of Karnataka on June 3, 2026”
The ascension of D. K. Shivakumar to the chief ministership resolves a period of instability within the Karnataka Congress. By finalizing the cabinet and swearing in 13 ministers, the party is attempting to project a unified front to the electorate. The discrepancy in official numbering regarding his place in the sequence of chief ministers reflects conflicting historical records or counting methods among news agencies, but does not affect the legal validity of the appointment.
