The event, which began around 4 pm, saw Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administering the oath to Shivakumar, who carried a copy of the Constitution during the ceremony. The new chief minister bowed to the gathering before assuming office.

Congress High Command's Choice

Shivakumar's elevation comes two days after he was elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party in a meeting of party MLAs on May 30. The decision followed Siddaramaiah's resignation on May 28, who had completed two and a half years as chief minister.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the power-sharing formula agreed upon after the 2023 assembly elections envisioned both leaders getting two and a half years each. While Shivakumar was originally supposed to take over from December 2025, the transition was delayed as senior leaders remained occupied with election preparations in Kerala.

Twelve Ministers Inducted

The swearing-in ceremony saw 12 Congress leaders taking oath as ministers in the new cabinet. Those inducted included KH Muniyappa, KJ George, MB Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, Satish Jarkiholi, Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, and UT Khader.

Notably, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of former chief minister Siddaramaiah, also found a place in the new council of ministers. The list was finalised by the party high command in Delhi before being sent to Raj Bhavan to complete formalities.

National Leaders Grace Event

The ceremony drew top Congress leadership, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Chief ministers from Congress-ruled states including Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana were also present.

Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand chief ministers are expected to attend as well. The gathering underscored the party's effort to present a united front amid the leadership change in the southern state.

A Controversial Figure Takes Helm

Shivakumar, 64, represents Kanakapura constituency and belongs to the influential Vokkaliga community. Known within party circles as a shrewd organiser who has repeatedly prevented MLAs from defecting, he brings considerable political heft to the chief minister's office.

However, his tenure begins with legal challenges. According to election affidavits, there are more than 19 criminal cases registered against him. The Enforcement Directorate is currently investigating two money laundering matters involving the new chief minister. He was arrested in 2019 in connection with an Income Tax case and spent 50 days in Tihar Jail. The CBI is also probing a disproportionate assets case against him.

Wealth and Political Capital

Despite the legal baggage, Shivakumar remains among the wealthiest politicians in the country, with declared assets exceeding ₹1,413 crore. His business interests span real estate, mining, and hospitality. Interestingly, his election affidavit lists only a Toyota Qualis vehicle, though he carries debts of around ₹263 crore.

Congress MP Rajeev Shukla, speaking before the ceremony, described the leadership change as a "really good decision" that would help the party retain Karnataka in future elections.

The ceremony concluded shortly before 5 pm, with the new chief minister expected to announce his complete ministerial portfolio allocation in the coming days.