Not June 1, DK Shivakumar To Take Oath As Karnataka CM On June 3

The Congress is set to take a crucial step in Karnataka's leadership transition on Saturday, with the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) scheduled to meet at 4 pm at Vidhana Soudha to formally elect Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar as its leader. The meeting comes two days after Siddaramaiah resigned as Chief Minister, bringing to an end months of speculation surrounding a possible transfer of power within the ruling party.

Shivakumar is widely expected to be elected unanimously as the CLP leader, paving the way for him to assume office as Karnataka's next Chief Minister. While earlier reports suggested that the swearing-in ceremony would take place on 1 June, the latest indications are that the oath-taking may now be held on 3 June.

The leadership change follows Siddaramaiah's resignation on Thursday after serving a little over half of his term since the Congress returned to power in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections. In his resignation letter to the Governor, Siddaramaiah stated that he was stepping down in accordance with the decision of the party leadership. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot subsequently accepted the resignation and requested Siddaramaiah to continue in office until a new government is sworn in.

Since the Congress secured a decisive victory in the 2023 Assembly elections, there has been persistent speculation about a power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. The reported understanding, believed to have been endorsed by the party's central leadership, envisaged a transfer of power after two-and-a-half years in office.

Shivakumar, credited with playing a pivotal role in rebuilding and strengthening the Congress organisation in Karnataka, is regarded as one of the party's most influential leaders in the state. His elevation to the top post is expected to mark the next phase of the Congress government's tenure.

Ahead of the transition, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar travelled to New Delhi, where they held discussions with senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal. The talks focused primarily on the formation of the next Cabinet and the broader political roadmap for the government.

Sources indicate that Siddaramaiah has been keen to secure representation for his loyalists in the new administration. He is also understood to have introduced his son, Dr Yathindra, a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council, to Rahul Gandhi and advocated his inclusion in the Cabinet. The Congress leadership is believed to be carefully balancing competing interests within the state unit while ensuring a smooth transition.

Party insiders suggest that Rahul Gandhi favours the swearing-in of a full-fledged Cabinet alongside the new Chief Minister. However, there is also a possibility that only eight to ten ministers may be inducted in the first phase. The Congress high command is reportedly keen to exercise greater oversight in the allocation of ministerial portfolios as it shapes the next government in Karnataka.