Karnataka: DK Shivakumar To Take Oath As Chief Minister On June 3

Bengaluru: Congress leader DK Shivakumar will reportedly be sworn in as Karnataka’s Chief Minister on June 3. Siddaramaiah has resigned from the post of Chief Minister in Karnataka. The name of the new Chief Minister has not yet been announced. In the interim, various power games are currently underway.

Although D.K. Shivakumar's name is being floated as the potential new Chief Minister, D.K. himself is unwilling to speak on the matter. When asked about this on Friday, he declined to make any statement. Prior to this, he had also refused to comment regarding the Rajya Sabha nomination.

Earlier, while speaking to the media in New Delhi, Shivakumar stated that a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) has been convened for Saturday, and discussions with the party high command are still ongoing. All MLAs have been instructed to be present in Bengaluru for the meeting. He affirmed that everything is proceeding in accordance with the directives of the high command. "Nothing has been decided yet. We have convened a CLP meeting for Saturday. Our central leaders will attend it. We need to hold discussions with our high command. We have asked all MLAs to be present in Bengaluru. There is nothing more to it than that."

Will All Protocols Will Be Followed?

Meanwhile, D.K. Shivakumar urged for patience regarding the selection of the new Chief Minister and the formation of the cabinet in Karnataka. He also dismissed the ongoing speculations concerning the swearing-in ceremony. Shivakumar emphasized that all necessary protocols would be strictly adhered to before making any definitive announcement. He stated that, for the time being, the selection of the leadership remains the top priority. Shivakumar remarked, "I do not know who will be elected as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party. Until it is decided who the new Chief Minister will be, how can I say when the swearing-in ceremony will take place?"

Where is Siddaramaiah?

It is worth noting that Siddaramaiah had resigned from the post of Chief Minister of Karnataka on Thursday itself. Subsequently, he departed for Delhi accompanied by his son and a few others. It is reported that he is scheduled to hold discussions with the senior leadership there. Siddaramaiah has declined the opportunity to go to the Rajya Sabha. He has also expressed his reluctance to enter national politics, stating his intention to remain active within the state instead. There are also reports suggesting that, during his visit to Delhi, Siddaramaiah requested the post of Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka for his son from the Congress leadership.

These developments have unfolded just a day after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tendered his resignation, thereby initiating the process of a leadership change in the Congress-ruled state. A high-level meeting involving senior Congress leaders—including Mr. Siddaramaiah, Mr. Shivakumar, and K.J. George—was held in New Delhi on Friday to deliberate on the next steps regarding the formation of the government. Mr. Shivakumar also held separate discussions with other party leaders.