D K Shivakumar Set to Take Oath as Karnataka Chief Minister on Wednesday

Bengaluru: Bringing an end to days of political uncertainty and intense negotiations within the Congress, D K Shivakumar is set to be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.

According to reports, a group of eleven ministers, including two leaders of Malayali origin, will also assume office alongside Shivakumar. Among those expected to join the new cabinet are Priyank Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Senior Karnataka leaders with Malayali roots, K J George and U T Khader, are also expected to take the oath as ministers. Both have previously held key positions in state governments.

Other prominent Congress leaders likely to be included in the first phase of the cabinet are G Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, M B Patil, Eshwar Khandre, Ramalinga Reddy, Shivaraj Tangadagi, and Roopa Shashidhar.

Sources indicate that a second round of cabinet expansion is likely after the upcoming Rajya Sabha Elections 2026 scheduled for June 18. Although stepping down as chief minister, Siddaramaiah is reportedly seeking to ensure significant representation for his supporters in the new cabinet.

The leadership issue had triggered prolonged discussions within the Congress high command, with competing camps backing Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. The party leadership ultimately decided in favor of Shivakumar, paving the way for the leadership transition.