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BENGALURU — Marking the culmination of a long-standing power arrangement within the state’s ruling party, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D.K. Shivakumar is set to be sworn in as the 25th Chief Minister of Karnataka on June 3, 2026.
The political transition was formalized on Saturday after the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) unanimously elected Shivakumar as its leader. The proposal to elevate the 64-year-old leader was notably moved by the outgoing Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, who stepped down on Thursday after completing his designated three-year tenure at the helm.
A Quiet Handover of Power
The swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru. Amid earlier discussions of a massive public gathering, party officials confirmed that the event will remain low-key to avoid public inconvenience and traffic congestion in the capital.
“The party has directed that the event should be conducted as simply as possible, reflecting a spirit of work and service rather than display or pomp,” said Congress state unit working president G.C. Chandrashekhar.
An initial batch of eight to ten ministers is expected to take the oath of office alongside Shivakumar, with a broader cabinet expansion slated to happen after the Rajya Sabha elections on June 18.
The Rise of the Next Generation?
As intense negotiations over cabinet berths and administrative portfolios shift to Delhi, a significant talking point has emerged around Yathindra Siddaramaiah, an MLA and the son of the outgoing Chief Minister.
Following high-level consultations between Siddaramaiah, Yathindra, and the Congress high command—including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge—heavy speculation has arisen regarding the junior Siddaramaiah’s role in the new administration. Prominent leaders representing the AHINDA coalition (a powerful social block of minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) have actively voiced their support for Yathindra, pitching him for a vital position, potentially even a Deputy Chief Minister post, to ensure continued representation for their interests.
Looking Ahead
While Siddaramaiah has been asked to continue as the caretaker Chief Minister until the formal handover on June 3, the incoming Chief Minister is already layout out immediate governance plans. Following his oath ceremony, Shivakumar is expected to embark on a statewide tour of all district headquarters to connect with the public.
The political shift marks the realization of a rotational leadership formula drafted by the Congress high command following the party’s decisive victory in the 2023 Assembly elections, successfully navigating a high-stakes transition in one of its most critical state strongholds.
