Senior Congress leader D. K. Shivakumar is set to be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka today, marking a major leadership transition in the state. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for around 4:05 PM at Lok Bhavan (Glass House) in Bengaluru, where Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot will administer the oath of office and secrecy.
Shivakumar, who has served as Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president, was recently elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party following the resignation of Siddaramaiah. The change comes after a long-running power-sharing arrangement within the Congress government.
Along with Shivakumar, around 13–14 ministers are expected to take oath in the first phase of cabinet formation. Senior Congress leader G. Parameshwara is likely to be appointed Deputy Chief Minister, according to party sources.
Ahead of the ceremony, Bengaluru has witnessed heightened security arrangements, while the Karnataka government has declared a half-day holiday for employees working at Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha and other nearby government offices to facilitate the event.
Unlike previous large-scale political celebrations, Shivakumar has opted for a relatively low-key swearing-in ceremony, citing concerns over traffic congestion and inconvenience to the public.
The oath ceremony is expected to be attended by top Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, as Karnataka begins a new political chapter under Shivakumar's leadership.
