Karnataka CM swearing-in LIVE | DK Shivakumar's cutouts deck the city; Rahul Gandhi leaves for Bengaluru

The Congress high command is expected to release the final list of ministers today by noon.

Summary

The stage is set for DK Shivakumar's swearing-in as the 18th chief minister of Karnataka at 4.05 pm on Wednesday. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at Lok Bhavan’s Glass House where the oaths will be administered by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. The political shift in Karnataka follows a prolonged power tussle within the Congress. After the party came to power in May 2023, an arrangement was reportedly reached for frontrunners Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar to share the chief ministerial tenure over the state’s five-year term.

Kanakapura decked up with banners, cutouts of DK Shivakumar

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.

Preparations underway for the swearing in of new Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.Photo | Nagaraja Gadekal, EPS

Preparations underway for the swearing in of new Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.Photo | Nagaraja Gadekal, EPS

Congress to release ministerial list by noon

Congress high command will release the list of ministers for the Karnataka cabinet on Wednesday ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.

Addressing a press conference, Shivakumar dismissed the reports suggesting the names of members allegedly selected for ministerial berths.

"The names appearing in the media regarding the selection of ministers are not official. The high command leaders will release the list of ministers tomorrow at 10 am or noon," he said.

He further said that the decision lies with the party high command and the final list, after being recieved from Delhi, will be sent to Raj Bhavan in Karnataka.

Rahul Gandhi leaves for Bengaluru

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday left from the IGI airport in the national capital for Bengaluru, to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Karnataka Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar.

Other than Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, party general secretary KC Venugopal, Karnataka Congress in charge Randeep Surjewala are also likely to attend Shivakumar's oath-taking ceremony.

Congress workers hold special prayers ahead of the ceremony

Congress workers held special prayers for CM-designate DK Shivakumar on Wednesday ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.

DK Shivakumar to take oath as Karnataka’s 18th chief minister today

Doddahalli Kempegowda Shivakumar (DK Shivakumar) will take oath as the 18th Chief Minister of Karnataka.

The 64-year-old leader will head the Congress government for the next two years after Siddaramaiah stepped down.

Popularly known as “DK Shi” or “Kanakapura Bande,” Shivakumar grew up in Doddahalli village, about 80 km from Bengaluru. Before being elevated as Chief Minister, he served as Deputy Chief Minister and held portfolios including Bengaluru Development and Minor Irrigation.