DK Shivakumar has officially assumed office as the 25th Chief Minister of Karnataka. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Lok Bhavan, where Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new leader. This transition follows the resignation of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The event was marked by the presence of several high-profile political figures, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, and former CM Siddaramaiah himself, marking a significant moment in the state's political landscape.
Oath Taking and Ceremonial Details
During the ceremony, DK Shivakumar took his oath in the name of his grandfather, Gangadhar. Simultaneously, G. Parameshwara was sworn in as the new Deputy Chief Minister of the state, taking his oath in the name of Dr. R. Ambedkar. Before the formal proceedings began, Shivakumar was seen interacting with various leaders on stage, welcoming Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other dignitaries with traditional shawls and flower bouquets as a gesture of respect and gratitude.
Astrological Influence and Event Management
A notable change in this ceremony was the orientation of the stage, while traditionally, events held at Lok Bhavan featured a stage facing the West, but following specific astrological advice, the stage for this swearing-in was prepared facing the East. The entire responsibility for organizing and managing the program was handled by DK Shivakumar’s brother, DK Suresh, who ensured the smooth execution of the high-profile event.
Public Surge and Personal Rituals
As the ceremony for the Chief Minister's oath-taking commenced, a massive wave of supporters and Congress workers converged towards Lok Bhavan. This influx led to significant traffic congestion around the Legislative Assembly area, bringing movement to a standstill. Prior to the official event, Shivakumar sought blessings from his mother, Gouramma, at their residence in Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru, by touching her feet, while On top of that, religious rituals were conducted at his residence before he left for the venue. Special prayers and a puja were performed by more than 5 priests who arrived with necessary ritual items to seek divine blessings for his new tenure.
Cabinet Composition and Caste Representation
The new administration has carefully balanced caste equations within the cabinet to ensure inclusive governance. Representation has been distributed across various communities: 3 ministerial posts each have been allocated to the Vokkaliga, Lingayat, and Dalit quotas. The Kuruba community has received 2 ministerial positions. Plus, 1 ministerial post each has been granted to the Scheduled Tribes (ST), Muslim, and Christian communities to ensure that all major sections of society are represented in the government.
Distinguished Guests in Attendance
The ceremony saw a gathering of numerous dignitaries and political heavyweights. Apart from Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, attendees included General Secretary KC Venugopal, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, and Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala. Other notable figures present were Kerala leader Satheesan, Hariprasad, former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin, and Rajiv Shukla. The event was also attended by various film stars and members of the DK family. Interestingly, expelled BJP MLAs Shivaram Hebbar and ST Somashekar were also in attendance at the swearing-in ceremony.