Bengaluru, June 3: Karnataka entered a new phase of political leadership on Wednesday as DK Shivakumar was sworn in as the state's 34th Chief Minister during a grand ceremony at Lok Bhavan. Senior Congress leader G Parameshwara also took oath as Deputy Chief Minister, signaling the beginning of a new administration under the Congress government.
In a symbolic gesture highlighting his commitment to democratic values, Shivakumar took the oath of office while holding a copy of the Constitution of India. The event drew a large gathering of political leaders, religious figures and dignitaries from across the country, reflecting the significance of the leadership transition.
Several top Congress leaders attended the ceremony, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal, showcasing the party’s strong backing for the new Chief Minister.
A veteran leader from Karnataka, Shivakumar has represented the Kanakapura Assembly Constituency for eight consecutive terms and has served as president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee since 2020. Widely credited for strengthening the party's grassroots network, he played a pivotal role in the Congress victory in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections.
Before taking oath, Shivakumar met prominent seers and spiritual leaders who had gathered for the occasion and sought their blessings. In an emotional moment, he also sought the blessings of his mother by touching her feet before leaving for the swearing-in ceremony.
The event was attended by several Chief Ministers and senior Congress leaders from different states. Among them was Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who lauded Shivakumar’s dedication and contributions to the Congress party over the years.
Earlier in the day, the newly sworn-in Chief Minister paid floral tributes to revered social reformer Jagadguru Basavanna, Bengaluru founder Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, Mahatma Gandhi, Constitution architect Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at Vidhana Soudha.
The swearing-in marks the beginning of a new political chapter in Karnataka, with expectations high for the new government as it takes charge of the state’s development agenda.