Karnataka : Senior Congress leader and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is set to become Karnataka’s next Chief Minister, marking a significant political transition in the state. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru at around 4 pm on Wednesday.
Shivakumar will take oath along with 13 ministers who will form part of his new cabinet. Among those expected to be inducted is Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The development comes nearly three years after the Congress returned to power in Karnataka in May 2023.
The leadership change is widely seen as part of an internal power-sharing arrangement within the Congress that has been discussed since the party formed the government. While the party has not issued a detailed statement on the transition, preparations for the swearing-in have been completed and senior leaders have been involved in consultations with the Congress high command.
Shivakumar, one of the Congress party’s most influential leaders in Karnataka, played a key role in the party’s 2023 Assembly election victory. Since then, he has served as Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president. His elevation to the top post is expected to strengthen the party’s organisational structure and governance agenda in the state.
Congress leaders have sought to present the transition as a smooth and coordinated process. Siddaramaiah, who has led the government since 2023, is expected to continue playing an important role in both party affairs and state politics.
The change in leadership comes at a crucial time as the Karnataka government focuses on welfare schemes, infrastructure development and economic growth. Political observers believe the transition will be closely watched both within the state and nationally, given Karnataka’s importance to the Congress party’s broader political strategy.
An official announcement detailing the new government’s priorities is expected after the swearing-in ceremony.
