D K Shivakumar Takes Oath As 25th Chief Minister Of Karnataka
BBengaluru: Senior Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday amid celebrations by party workers and supporters across the state.Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath of office and secrecy to Shivakumar in a simple ceremony held at the Glass House on the premises of Lok Bhavan. Following the footsteps of Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar held a copy of the Constitution while taking his oath in the name of the late seer Gangadhara Ajjayya of Nonavinakere Mutt, whom he credits for his political growth.
As he started reading the oath, "I, D K Shivakumar, will take oath as the CM," the glass house filled with loud cheers as his followers chanted his name and raised slogans.Clad in a silk kurta and lungi with a shalya flowing down from his neck, Shivakumar performed a Sashtanga Namaskar from the podium to the people of the state before taking the oath. He also felicitated all the leaders present on the dais.All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Justice Vibhu Bhakru, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukku, Kerala CM V D Satheesan, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and other senior Congress leaders took part in the oath-taking ceremony.
About 30 swamijis from different mutts, religious leaders from other religions, actors, businessmen and well-wishers of Shivakumar were present among the audience. Along with Shivakumar, G Parameshwara took oath as Deputy Chief Minister. It is his second stint as Deputy Chief Minister. He was deputy to then Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy in the Congress-JDS coalition.Besides, MLAs K H Muniyappa, K J George, Ramalinga Reddy, M B Patil, Satish Jarkiholi, Krishna Byregowda, U T Khader, Priyank Kharge, Sharanprakash Patil, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Eshwar Khandre and Byrathi Suresh took oath as ministers.
Barring U T Khader and Yathindra Siddaramaiah, all others were ministers in the Siddaramaiah cabinet too. The new Chief Minister is expected to allocate portfolios to his ministers in the next few hours. Parameshwara is likely to get the revenue department and Priyank Kharge the home department. Jarkiholi, George, M B Patil and Sharanprakash Patil are likely to continue with the portfolios they held under Siddaramaiah.
PM Modi congratulates DKS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shivakumar on his elevation as the CM. In a post on X, the PM wrote: "Congratulations to Shri D K Shivakumar Ji on taking the oath as Chief Minister of Karnataka. Best wishes for his tenure. The Centre will work closely with the Karnataka Government for the welfare of the people."
Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy also congratulated Shivakumar, saying the latter would make best use of the opportunity.
Shivakumar does the Modi act
Shivakumar kneeled and touched his head to the steps leading to his office before entering the Vidhana Soudha for the first time after taking over as the CM. This reminded people of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's similar act in 2014. Modi had also touched the steps of the old Sansad Bhavan with his head before entering it for the first time after being elected as the leader of the BJP parliamentary party.
Before entering the Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar garlanded the statues of Dr B R Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and others installed on the premises.
As celebrations continued across Bengaluru, supporters expressed optimism that the new Chief Minister's tenure would bring administrative reforms, social harmony and a renewed focus on addressing the concerns of ordinary citizens.
Shivakumar was elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party last week, days after outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stepped down following directions from the party leadership.For the eight-time MLA and influential Vokkaliga leader, the ceremony represents the fulfilment of a long-held ambition after years of emerging as one of the Congress party's most powerful leaders in southern India.
Born on May 15, 1962, in Doddalahalli village of Kanakapura taluk, D.K. Shivakumar began his political journey at a young age through the Congress student wing NSUI. He later became active in Youth Congress politics and gained popularity through social service activities in rural areas.Shivakumar entered electoral politics in the 1980s and steadily rose within the Congress party. Over the years, he held several important positions and became one of the most influential leaders in Karnataka politics.His swearing-in marks a major political moment for the Congress party in Karnatak