DK Shivakumar Named Congress Legislature Party Leader To Become Karnataka Chief Minister

DK Shivakumar has been unanimously chosen as the Congress legislature party leader, clearing the route for oath-taking as Karnataka Chief Minister on June 3 at 3 pm, party sources said, marking a quick leadership reshuffle after Siddaramaiah’s resignation on May 28.

Congress leaders indicated that the decision on DK Shivakumar’s elevation emerged after internal consultations, with the legislature party meeting seen as the key step that allowed the high command to endorse the change, while ensuring continuity in the Karnataka government’s functioning.

DK Shivakumar Karnataka Chief Minister swearing-in schedule and venue options

Although party insiders now point to June 3 for the ceremony, earlier conversations within the Congress had examined Sunday or Monday, or even the following Wednesday, as possible dates, while discussions also weighed whether to host the event at Lok Bhavan or on the imposing steps of Vidhana Soudha.

DK Shivakumar Karnataka Chief Minister meetings with Governor and high command

Earlier on the same day, DK Shivakumar visited Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at Lok Bhavan for an informal conversation about the swearing-in of the new Chief Minister and council of Ministers, as the Governor was expected to travel later to Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada district for a Vice President’s programme on Sunday.

Following the Congress legislature party meeting in the evening, DK Shivakumar is scheduled to meet Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot again, formally claim the right to form the government, and request June 3 as the fixed date for the swearing-in ceremony, even as initial preparation work has already been noticed around Vidhana Soudha.

DK Shivakumar Karnataka Chief Minister CLP meeting and leadership choice

On May 31, DK Shivakumar had underlined that the crucial Congress legislature party meeting in Bengaluru would proceed under the watch of two party observers, who were tasked with gathering views from MLAs and then reporting back to the Congress high command before any leadership announcement.

"A CLP meeting will be held in Bengaluru at 4 PM. Our two observers will arrive. We will conduct the CLP meeting in their presence, and subsequently, they will take a call after consulting with the High Command," Shivakumar told reporters on Friday.

When asked about the timeline for choosing the next Karnataka Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar had replied that the appointment depended on the legislature party process, saying, "I still do not know when they will elect the leader of the Congress Legislature Party. Then we will discuss," leaving room for final approval from central leaders.

DK Shivakumar Karnataka Chief Minister transition after Siddaramaiah exit

The leadership change followed Siddaramaiah’s decision to quit as Karnataka Chief Minister on May 28, a move described as voluntary and in line with advice from the Congress high command, which then began detailed deliberations on legislative leadership, Rajya Sabha nominations and organisational roles within the state unit.

During that phase, DK Shivakumar met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi, where discussions covered his prospective role as Karnataka Chief Minister, the future composition of the council of Ministers, and broader political strategy for the state Congress.