Shivakumar to be sworn in as CM of Karnataka

Bengaluru

State Congress President D K Shivakumar will be sworn in as the chief minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, along with some ministers, in a ceremony planned at Lok Bhavan here. The 64-year-old Vokkaliga strongman, who was elected as leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Karnataka on May 30, will be administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at 4.05 pm at Lok Bhavan's Glass House. Though it is not officially known how many ministers will take oath on Wednesday in the first phase, sources suggest that 12 to 14 may be sworn in.

By occupying the state's highest political office, the eighth-time MLA "DK Shi," as he is popularly called, Shivakumar will fulfil his long-cherished dream after a prolonged power tussle with Siddaramaiah, who stepped down as CM last week. Siddaramaiah resigned as directed by the Congress high command, paving the way for Shivakumar, considered the party's troubleshooter in South India, to assume the coveted position. Speaking to reporters on landing in Bengaluru from Delhi late last night, Shivakumar said, "The names that are being speculated by the media for ministerial posts are not official.

After 10 am or by noon (on Wednesday), the high command in Delhi will send the list of names, we will discuss and share our opinion, and after that, Delhi will take the final decision and send me the list. Thereafter, I will send the list to the Lok Bhavan." He said the groundbreaking ceremony for the Congress Bhavan here, which was scheduled for the evening, will be held on some other day.