Karnataka Holiday: Half-Day Holiday Announced Ahead of DK Shivakumar's Swearing-In Ceremony

The Karnataka government has declared a half-day holiday on June 3 for employees working in key government buildings around Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar.

The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to take place at 4:05 pm at the Karnataka Legislature premises, and authorities are expecting large crowds, heavy traffic congestion and heightened security arrangements in and around the central administrative district.

In a notification, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) said the event is expected to be attended by several dignitaries, elected representatives, political leaders and members of the public. The government said the afternoon closure was necessary to facilitate security checks, regulate vehicular movement and ensure the smooth conduct of the ceremony.

According to the order, officers and staff working at Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha and the Multi-Storeyed Building will be granted authorised leave from the afternoon of June 3. Government offices located in the vicinity of the Legislature and Vidhana Soudha will also remain closed. The order was issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms in the name of the Governor of Karnataka.

While Bengaluru prepares for the high-profile public event, political activity has intensified in New Delhi, where discussions on cabinet formation and key organisational appointments are underway.

DK Shivakumar on Monday met Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence in the national capital. The meeting is being viewed as crucial as the Congress leadership works towards finalising ministerial berths, the Deputy Chief Minister's post and other organisational changes within the Karnataka unit.

Caretaker Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal were also part of consultations with senior party leaders at Kharge's residence. Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress MLA Priyank Kharge held separate discussions with the Congress chief amid speculation over his possible inclusion in the new cabinet.

Sources indicate that final decisions on the composition of the cabinet are likely to be taken after the ongoing rounds of consultations in New Delhi.

The swearing-in ceremony follows Shivakumar's election as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party at a meeting held in Vidhana Soudha. The event is expected to mark the formal beginning of the new government's term, with further announcements on cabinet expansion likely in the coming days.