Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A political journey marked by persistence, setbacks and a prolonged tussle for the top post is set to culminate today when Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar takes oath as the state’s Chief Minister, ushering in a new chapter in Karnataka politics.
The 64-year-old Congress leader, will be sworn in at 4:05 pm at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan, where Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot will administer the oath of office and secrecy. Along with Shivakumar, a group of ministers is also expected to take oath in the first phase of cabinet formation.
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Though the final list has not been officially announced, sources indicated that around 13 ministers could likely be inducted into the new government.
Shivakumar was elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party last week, days after outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stepped down following directions from the party high command.
For the eight-time MLA and influential Vokkaliga leader, today’s ceremony will mark the fulfilment of a long-held ambition after years of positioning himself as one of the Congress party’s most powerful leaders in southern India.
FROM TROUBLESHOOTER TO CHIEF MINISTER
Known within Congress circles as a crisis manager and organisation man, Shivakumar played a key role in rebuilding the party in Karnataka and safeguarding its governments during periods of political instability.
His elevation comes after a prolonged power struggle with Siddaramaiah, whose resignation paved the way for a leadership transition that had been anticipated for months.
The change of guard is being watched closely both within Karnataka and across the Congress party, where Shivakumar is seen as one of the party’s most influential regional leaders.
DKS SPELLS OUT HIS VISION
On the eve of taking oath, Shivakumar spoke about his journey to the top office and described his elevation as the result of dedication and perseverance rather than a personal ambition.
“It was not a dream. It was a dedication. Dedication with hard work. So it was a tough, troubling time. Though it has been delayed, it was not denied,” he said in an interview.
The Congress leader also spoke about his long association with the Nehru-Gandhi family and credited the party leadership for placing faith in him over the years.
“That is the commitment I had with the Gandhi family, and they believed in me, and they gave me various opportunities,” Shivakumar said.
Praising Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, he said, “Sonia Gandhi sacrificed; she could have become the Prime Minister. Rahul Gandhi could have become the Prime Minister, but they did not.”
Looking ahead to his tenure, Shivakumar promised to work for all sections of society and projected Karnataka as a key driver of India’s growth story.
“The world is seeing India through Bengaluru and Karnataka,” he said.
“I will have to take every section of society together, from the farmer to the woman, to the youth and a new ‘Yuva Yuga’ will start.”
He also acknowledged the challenges ahead, saying, “The faith and the confidence the people of this country have shown me, I am very much obliged. I have to do a lot of hard work and deliver.”
CABINET FORMULA TAKES SHAPE
While Congress has not officially announced the names of ministers, sources said 13 leaders have been cleared for induction in the first phase of cabinet formation.
The likely ministers are Yathindra, G Parameshwara, KH Muniyappa, UT Khader, KJ George, Krishna Byre Gowda, MB Patil, Priyank Kharge, Satish Jarkiholi, Ramalinga Reddy, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Byrati Suresh and Eshwar Khandre.
Among them, Yathindra’s inclusion has drawn particular attention. The MLC and son of outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier expressed confidence about securing a cabinet berth, saying the party high command had assured him of a ministerial position.
Sources said Shivakumar will initially take oath with a smaller cabinet before expanding the ministry at a later stage.
The Karnataka Council of Ministers can have a maximum of 34 members, including the Chief Minister.
PARAMESHWARA LIKELY TO BE SOLE DEPUTY CM
One of the key questions before the oath ceremony was whether Congress would appoint multiple deputy chief ministers to balance competing caste and regional interests.
Sources said senior Dalit leader G Parameshwara is now likely to be the only Deputy Chief Minister in the new government.
Earlier discussions had included the possibility of more than one deputy CM, with Priyank Kharge among the names being considered.
Sources also indicated that senior Congress leader H K Patil is likely to become Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly.
SIDDRAMAIAH GETS NATIONAL ROLE
Even as Shivakumar prepares to take charge of the government, Congress has moved to give Siddaramaiah a larger organisational role by appointing him to the Congress Working Committee, the party’s highest decision-making body.
The announcement, made through a statement issued by AICC general secretary KC Venugopal on Tuesday, comes less than a day before the oath event.
Party leaders see the move as an attempt to maintain organisational balance and ensure close coordination between the Karnataka government and the Congress leadership.
Sources also said the party is considering a coordination committee headed by Siddaramaiah to strengthen links between the government and the organisation.
Senior Congress leaders are also understood to have urged Siddaramaiah to accept a Rajya Sabha berth, though he is said to favour remaining active in state politics.
STAGE SET FOR OATH CEREMONY
Final preparations were underway at Lok Bhavan on Tuesday as workers completed arrangements for the oath ceremony.
In a departure from convention, the main stage at the Glass House has reportedly been reoriented from west-facing to east-facing after Shivakumar expressed a preference to take oath facing east.
Sources said the decision was taken following astrological advice, leading organisers to make last-minute adjustments to seating plans, security arrangements, media enclosures and VIP access routes.
The ceremony was initially planned on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha before being shifted to the indoor venue.
Sources indicated that concerns over traffic disruption caused by a large influx of Congress workers and supporters contributed to the decision to opt for a more controlled event.
TOP CONGRESS LEADERS TO ATTEND
A host of senior Congress leaders are expected to attend the ceremony.
Among those likely to be present are Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala.
Chief ministers from Congress and INDIA bloc-ruled states, senior political leaders, dignitaries and guests are also expected to attend.
Religious leaders representing major communities and heads of various maths have been invited as part of the broad outreach planned for the event.
Officials said invitees include students from a government school in Doddaalahalli in Kanakapura, Shivakumar’s native village, as well as representatives of farmer groups, labourers, civic workers, women self-help groups and pro-Kannada organisations.
SECURITY AND TRAFFIC CURBS
Congress flags and banners featuring Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar, KC Venugopal, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Siddaramaiah have been installed around the Vidhana Soudha and Lok Bhavan areas.
LED screens have also been set up to allow supporters gathered outside the venue to watch the proceedings.
Police have made extensive security arrangements around Lok Bhavan, with barricades erected on roads leading to the venue.
“Comprehensive security arrangements have been made. Since it is an indoor event with limited seating capacity, entry will be restricted to invited guests only,” Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh told reporters.
He said traffic advisories had been issued and measures taken to minimise inconvenience to the public.
With large crowds expected in the area, the Karnataka government has declared a half-day holiday on June 3 for employees working at Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha and the Multi-Storeyed Government Office Building.
As Karnataka prepares for the oath ceremony, attention is now shifting to the shape of Shivakumar’s first cabinet and the political balancing act that will follow once he formally takes charge of the state.
– Ends
With inputs from PTI
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
