DK Shivakumar Swearing-In: Karnataka Declares Half-Day Holiday Around Vidhana Soudha

The Karnataka government has declared a half-day holiday for government offices around Vidhana Soudha on June 3 ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar.

Shivakumar will take oath at 4.05 pm at the Karnataka Legislature premises. With a large number of party workers, supporters, elected representatives and dignitaries expected to attend, the government has announced the closure of offices in the second half of the day.

In a notification, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) said employees working at Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha and the Multi-Storeyed Building will be granted authorised leave from the afternoon. Government offices located near the Legislature and Vidhana Soudha will also remain closed.

The government said the decision was taken in view of security arrangements and traffic restrictions around the venue.

The order was issued by the DPAR in the name of the Governor of Karnataka.

Meanwhile, discussions on cabinet formation continued in New Delhi. D.K. Shivakumar met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday as the party leadership worked on finalising ministerial berths and other appointments.

Caretaker Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal were also present during the consultations. Karnataka Congress MLA Priyank Kharge separately met Kharge amid reports of his possible inclusion in the new cabinet.

The swearing-in ceremony comes days after Shivakumar was elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party at a meeting held in Vidhana Soudha.