Bengaluru: The prolonged leadership transition within the Karnataka Congress appears to have reached its conclusion, with senior Congress leader D. K. Shivakumar set to be sworn in as the state’s 25th Chief Minister on June 3. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Glass House in Raj Bhavan, Bengaluru, and is expected to witness the presence of top Congress leaders, elected representatives, party workers, and supporters from across the state.
The development comes after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reportedly stepped down following consultations with the Congress high command in New Delhi. Party insiders indicate that the leadership change is part of a long-discussed power-sharing arrangement within the state unit.
8–10 Ministers Likely to Be Inducted
Sources suggest that along with Shivakumar, around eight to ten MLAs are likely to be inducted into the cabinet during the swearing-in ceremony. The remaining ministerial vacancies are expected to be filled after the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections on June 18.
The Congress leadership is believed to be working on a balanced cabinet composition, retaining several experienced ministers while accommodating new faces from different factions within the party.
Leadership Transition Linked to Rotational Formula
Speculation over a rotational chief minister arrangement has persisted since the Congress formed the government in Karnataka in 2023. Under the reported formula, Siddaramaiah was expected to serve as Chief Minister for the first two-and-a-half years of the government’s tenure, with Shivakumar taking over for the remaining period.
Although the Congress leadership never officially confirmed such an arrangement, discussions surrounding the transition intensified after Siddaramaiah completed two-and-a-half years in office last year.
Cabinet Berth Speculation Intensifies
Amid the transition, Siddaramaiah and his son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, met senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi on Friday.
The meeting has fueled speculation that Yathindra could be considered for a cabinet berth in the new government. At the same time, several ministers from the outgoing cabinet are reportedly lobbying to retain their positions, while legislators aligned with Shivakumar are seeking ministerial appointments.
Party sources indicate that consultations on the final cabinet composition are ongoing, with the leadership aiming to strike a balance between continuity, regional representation, and factional interests.