Fervour over the swearing-in ceremony of Karnataka Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar is palpable in Kanakpura on Wednesday, the home constituency of Shivakumar.
Banners and cutouts congratulating him for becoming Chief Minister have been put up around his residence and across the constituency, ahead of his swearing-in ceremony.
Senior Congress leader G Parameshwara on Wednesday met with Karnataka Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar at his residence.
The meeting comes ahead of Shivakumar's oath-taking ceremony later in the day, where there are also speculations that Parameshwara may be sworn in as his Deputy in the state.
Other than Parameshwara, several other senior Congress leaders including Satish Jarkiholi, Ramalinga Reddy, MB Patil, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Priyank Kharge, are tippedy to take oath as ministers in DK Shivakumar-led cabinet.
LED Screen set across Ambedkar Veedhi Road, Near Lok Bhavan and In Vidhana Soudha for the viewing of the CM swearing in ceremony.
Hours before the swearing in ceremony of DK Shivakumar as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, the Congress released a list of 13 cabinet ministers who will be sworn in on June 3, 2026.
While Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah makes his debut in the Cabinet, others to be sworn in include current Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khader, MB Patil, KJ George, KH Muniyappa, Satish Jarkiholi, Ramalinga Reddy, Krishna Byregowda, Priyank Kharge, Ishwar Khandre, Byrathi Suresh and Sharan Prakash Patil.
Rajya Sabha member and Karnataka AICC in-charge Randeep Surjewala arrived at Kempegowda International Airport to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar and his cabinet.
Notably, Surjewala had been closely involved with the Congress top brass in managing the transition process and had held discussions with Karnataka Congress MLAs during the recent cabinet formation plans.
Ahead of the swearing in ceremony, police have closed Cubbon Road Junction, Queen's Road near Balekundri Circle, BRV Road Junction and Chalukya Circle to traffic, leaving motorists stranded in long queues.
Yasin Baig, a resident of Bharathi Nagar, left home to visit Sri Jagadguru Renukacharya Law College to collect a certificate but was caught in traffic for nearly an hour from 1.15 pm.
"After nearly two hours in traffic, I decided to come back home," said Baig.
Similarly, two private agency vehicles tasked with fire and emergency services at Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha were forced to circle via Cubbon Park and Shivajinagar after roads were closed.
"We are not being allowed as the is asking us for pass and permission," said an employee.
A senior traffic police officer said they were following instructions and diverting traffic on approach roads.
Traffic is expected to worsen as supporters of city lawmakers such as KJ George, Krishna Byre Gowda, Byrathi Suresh and Ramalinga Reddy continue to gather near Lok Bhavan to witness the swearing-in ceremony.
Avoid MG Road, Anil Kumble Circle, Cubbon Road, Cunningham Road, Chalukya Circle and surrounding roads until 5.30 pm.
TNIE's Mohammed Yacoob reports from Bengaluru.
Karnataka Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar is on his way to HAL Airport to receive Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.
Gandhi arrived in Bengaluru earlier today to join party leaders and other dignitaries attending the event.
TNIE's Indra S reports from the ground
Former Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) chairperson Kripa Alva was allegedly heckled when she came to attend the swearing-in ceremony at Lok Bhavan.
She was later taken to the Vidhana Soudha Police station.
TNIE's Mohammed Yacoob reports from the ground