DK Shivakumar was sworn in as the 34th chief minister of Karnataka on June 3, 2026, at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru [3], [4].
The transition follows the resignation of former chief minister Siddaramaiah. The appointment of Shivakumar, a long-time troubleshooter for the Congress party in southern India, marks a significant shift in the state's leadership [2], [6].
During the ceremony, G Parameshwara was appointed as deputy chief minister [1], [3]. Alongside the new leadership, 13 cabinet ministers took the oath of office [1], [3]. While some early reports suggested a smaller first batch of around 10 ministers, official counts confirmed 13 members were sworn in [1], [5].
The event drew around 2,000 invitees to the Lok Bhavan venue [7]. The atmosphere in the city was celebratory, with cutouts of the new chief minister placed throughout Bengaluru as Rahul Gandhi traveled to the city for the proceedings [5].
Shivakumar emphasized a collaborative approach to governance during the transition. "They have guided and worked for the state. All of us have to work together," Shivakumar said [3].
The formation of the new government comes as the Congress party seeks to stabilize its administration in the region. The swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for 4 p.m., formalizes the party's internal decision to elevate Shivakumar to the top executive post [3], [4].
“DK Shivakumar was sworn in as the 34th Chief Minister of Karnataka”
The appointment of DK Shivakumar represents a strategic consolidation of power within the Karnataka Congress. By elevating a known party troubleshooter to the chief minister's office, the party is prioritizing political management and operational stability following the departure of Siddaramaiah.
