Kumaraswamy to take oath as Karnataka CM on Wednesday

JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy will take oath on Wednesday (May 23) in what is expected to be a grand ceremony attended by leaders of several regional parties. The ceremony, which was supposed to be on Monday was changed due to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi\'s death anniversary.

Speaking to media after meeting the Governor, Kumaraswamy had earlier said, "Governor has invited me to form the government. Oath ceremony (as Chief Minister) to be held on Monday between 12 noon-1 pm."

Governor Vajubhai Vala has instructed HD Kumaraswamy to prove majority in 15 days. It remains to be seen if it will be smooth sailing for HD Kumaraswamy and whether he will be able to prove majority.

He said "West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu & Telangana CM KC Rao congratulated me. Mayawati ji has also blessed me. I have invited all regional leaders for the oath ceremony. I've also invited Sonia Gandhi ji & Rahul Gandhi ji personally."

HD Kumaraswamy thanked Congress leaders and party MLAs for their support. He will be meeting the Congress leaders to discuss the modalities of oath taking ceremony tonight. Earlier, Yeddyurappa, ahead of the floor test in the Karnataka assembly, announced that his resignation as the chief minister.

Kumaraswamy had served as the 18th Chief Minister of Karnataka between 3 February 2006 - 9 October 2007. In November 2014 Kumaraswamy was elected as Karnataka state Janata Dal (Secular) President.