Published Jun 02, 2026 | 10:46 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 02, 2026 | 10:46 PM
DK Shivakumar.
Synopsis: Between 12 and 14 MLAs are expected to take the oath as ministers along with Shivakumar. The first round of swearing in is likely to see the likes of G Parameshwara, MB Patil, Eshwar Khandre, Priyank Kharge, and Krishna Byre Gowda. Younger party leaders are likely to get heavier portfolios in the Shivakumar Cabinet.
With merely a few hours left for the swearing-in of DK Shivakumar as the 18th Chief Minister of Karnataka, hectic parleys are on regarding ministerial berths in the new Cabinet. Meanwhile, outgoing chief minister Siddaramaiah has been appointed as a member of Congress Working Committee (CWC) — the highest decision making body of the party.
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Shivakumar at the Glass House on the sprawling Lok Bhavan premises at 4.05 pm on Wednesday, 3 June. Along with Shivakumar, a few ministers, too, will take charge.
Arrangements have been made on the steps of the Vidhana Soudha, even as the roads around sported the Congress party’s tricolour flags and hoardings featuring party leaders.
Shivakumar is not likely to fill all 34 Cabinet berths on Wednesday, as the Congress party has yet to finalise all ministers. The change of guard in the Karnataka government has been viewed as one signalling a generational shift.
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However, as many as 12 to 14 MLAs are expected to take the oath as ministers along with Shivakumar. The first round of swearing in is likely to see the likes of G Parameshwara, MB Patil, Eshwar Khandre, Priyank Kharge, and Krishna Byre Gowda. Younger party leaders are likely to get heavier portfolios in the Shivakumar Cabinet.
To balance the public perception over Siddaramaiah’s dethroning, the Cabinet is expected to have more caste balance with enhanced representation for Backward Classes, Dalits and minority communities. Women MLAs like Roopa Shashidhar are likely to make the cut, if not on Wednesday, at the next round of expansion. Shivakumar will have to accommodate his predecessor Siddaramaiah’s nominees as well. AHINDA is close to Siddaramaiah’s heart.
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Meanwhile, the discussion over the selection of a new KPCC president, too, is underway. The party is reportedly keen on a young, AHINDA (Kannada abbreviation of Backward Classes, Dalits and minorities) leader to replace Shivakumar. He has been holding the responsibilities of the Deputy Chief Minister and the KPCC chief. The Congress party is now keen on implementing the “one man, one post” norm.
On 19 November 2025, Shivakumar had said that he couldn’t be the Karnataka Congress president forever, but would continue to be in the “front line”.
Dalit leader Satish Jarkiholi was the forerunner to the post of KPCC president until last week. He had the support of both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah camps. However, the party is now looking beyond Jarkiholi after he reportedly insisted on both holding the Cabinet berth and helming the party’s state unit.
MLC BK Hariprasad, a BC leader from the Ediga community, too, was also considered for the KPCC chief post. However, his lobbying for the KPCC chief’s post, along with a ministerial position, has pushed the party to look at other probable candidates.
The Shivakumar-led Cabinet will be in office for the remaining two years of the Congress government’s five-year term. Siddaramaiah resigned from the post of Chief Minister on 28 May, two days after the party high command asked him to make way for the future. The Congress Legislature Party elected Shivakumar as its leader on 30 May.
