The Congress leader's swearing-in marks the completion of a power-sharing agreement with Siddaramaiah, who has now been appointed to the party's highest decision-making body

DK Shivakumar will be sworn in as the 24th Chief Minister of Karnataka this evening. The ceremony is scheduled for 4 pm at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru, bringing to a close weeks of speculation over the leadership transition in the state.

The Congress Legislature Party had elected Shivakumar as its leader on 30 May, two days after Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation. Shivakumar now takes over from Siddaramaiah, who served as Chief Minister from 20 May 2023.

Cabinet list awaited

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Shivakumar said the Congress high command would release the list of ministers for the new cabinet either by 10 am or later in the afternoon today. He clarified that names circulating in various media outlets were not official.

The list will be finalised in Delhi and sent to the Raj Bhavan to complete the formalities ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the new cabinet may include Siddaramaiah along with the son of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge. There is also speculation about the appointment of four Deputy Chief Ministers. Around 10 ministers from the current cabinet are expected to be dropped.

Top leaders to attend

Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge are among the senior party leaders expected to be present at Lok Bhavan. Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled states including Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana will also attend. The Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand are likely to be there as well.

Just a day before the swearing-in, the party appointed Siddaramaiah as a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest executive body.

 Power-sharing deal completed

The transition follows a formula worked out after the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, when both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar emerged as contenders for the top post. Under the arrangement, each was to serve as Chief Minister for two and a half years.

Siddaramaiah completed his term in November 2025 but remained in office. According to sources in the Karnataka Congress, Shivakumar was originally supposed to take over from December 2025. However, senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi were occupied with election preparations in Kerala, causing the delay.

Siddaramaiah had met Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and KC Venugopal in Delhi on 24 May, where he was asked to resign. He requested 48 hours and stepped down on 28 May.

 Shivakumar's profile

The incoming Chief Minister, born in 1962 in Kanakapura near Bengaluru, is the MLA from Kanakapura and belongs to the influential Vokkaliga community. Within the Congress party, he is known as a leader who prevents MLAs from defecting and as a key strategist managing financial and logistical support for major operations.

Shivakumar is among the richest politicians in the country with assets worth over ₹1,413 crore, involved in real estate, mining, and hospitality businesses. His election affidavit lists only a Toyota Qualis car. He also has debts of around ₹263 crore.

There are more than 19 criminal cases registered against him. The ED is investigating him in two money laundering cases. Following IT raids at his residence in 2017, officials reportedly recovered ₹8.5 crore. He was arrested in 2019 in the same case and spent 50 days in Tihar Jail. The CBI is also probing a disproportionate assets case against him.

The Karnataka CLP is set to meet today to formally elect D.K. Shivakumar as the new leader following Siddaramaiah's resignation

In a swift sequence of political developments on Saturday morning, Karnataka Congress President and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at Raj Bhavan for an informal discussion. The meeting took place just hours before the scheduled Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting, where the formal election of the state's next Chief Minister is on the cards.

Accompanied by his brother and former Congress MP D.K. Suresh, Shivakumar’s visit to Lok Bhavan is being viewed as a preparatory step to discuss the upcoming government formation logistics. Sources close to the development indicated that since Governor Gehlot is expected to travel out of Bengaluru later in the day, the informal meeting helped align schedules for the official oath-taking process.

Stage set at Vidhana Soudha

The crucial CLP meeting, scheduled for 4:00 PM today at the conference hall in Vidhana Soudha, will be chaired by outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The gathering is largely seen as a formality to rubber-stamp the decision of the Congress high command, which positioned Shivakumar as the definitive successor to Siddaramaiah.

AICC General Secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala are also expected to attend the session to oversee the transition. The party’s 136 MLAs have been issued a strict directive to remain present in the state capital to sign the letters of support that will subsequently be submitted to the Governor.

Factional balancing and cabinet composition

While Shivakumar's election to the top post is secure, intensive lobbying has begun behind the scenes regarding the composition of the new cabinet. Outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who returned from New Delhi late Friday night after meetings with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, is expected to push hard for his loyalists to retain prime portfolios.

Speculation is also rife regarding the induction of Siddaramaiah's son, Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, into the new council of ministers. Responding to queries about potential cabinet berths, senior leader Priyank Kharge remarked, "The CLP will decide the leader first, and then that will be sent to the Governor. Everything will be left to the wisdom of the CLP and the high command." Congress leader Bilkis Bano added that if the high command decides, the youth representation, including Yathindra, will be accommodated.

A long-awaited power transition

The transition comes after Siddaramaiah tendered his resignation on Thursday, May 28, terminating months of internal deliberation over a rotational power-sharing formula. The agreement, originally brokered during the government formation in May 2023, called for a leadership change after two and a half years.

Shivakumar’s supporters had been exerting subtle pressure for the handover since late last year. In an emotional social media post following the resignation, Shivakumar expressed his gratitude to Siddaramaiah, writing, "If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together. I look forward to carrying this journey forward together for the people of Karnataka."

Opposition mounts corruption offensive

Meanwhile, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack on the ruling dispensation, terms the leadership change a cosmetic exercise that will not change the administrative ground reality.

"There may be a change in leadership, but the truth is that this is a super-corrupt government," alleged Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council. "The people of Karnataka are completely fed up because developmental works have come to a total standstill across the state during this transition."

Swearing-in timelines under review

With the CLP meeting expected to wrap up by Saturday evening, the focus will shift entirely to the oath-taking ceremony. Astrological consultations and the availability of senior leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are reportedly dictating the final choice of date.

Initial reports indicate that tentative preparations are underway near the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha, with the ceremony likely to take place on Monday, June 1, or Wednesday next week. Once the CLP formally passes the resolution, a delegation led by Shivakumar will meet the Governor tonight to stake a formal claim to form the next government.

Congress high command pushes leadership change amid power-sharing buzz

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to resign on Thursday, paving the way for Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to take over the top post, according to multiple sources. The move comes after a marathon meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Tuesday.

The development marks a significant shift in Karnataka politics, ending months of speculation over the leadership tussle between the two senior Congress leaders.

High Command Meeting Lasts Over Six Hours

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar arrived in the national capital on Monday night and held discussions lasting nearly six hours with the party high command. Sources indicated that Rahul Gandhi urged Siddaramaiah to step down and offered him a Rajya Sabha seat along with an important national role in Delhi.

The Chief Minister, who initially showed reluctance, is understood to have eventually agreed to the party's decision after consultations with his supporters. He has reportedly called his ministers for a breakfast meeting on Thursday morning, where the resignation is likely to be formalised.

Venugopal Dismisses Speculation

However, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal, who was present in the meeting, downplayed the reports. "The speculations are only speculations. There is no truth in them. The meeting discussed Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections," he said.

Despite the official denial, ground reports and sources close to the developments suggest a clear push for change.

Power-Sharing Formula Comes into Play

The leadership churn traces back to the 2023 assembly elections when Congress formed the government in Karnataka. Supporters of DK Shivakumar have long claimed an informal understanding of a two-and-a-half-year power-sharing formula. The government completed 2.5 years in November 2025, intensifying the demand for a transition.

Siddaramaiah, the party's prominent OBC face and AHINDA leader, has enjoyed strong support among a large section of MLAs. Sources say he had earlier warned that any forced removal could lead to a split, with 50-60 legislators potentially backing him. He is also believed to have stated that he would not work under Shivakumar.

Strategy for 2028 Polls

Congress appears keen to manage the transition carefully to avoid rebellion and prepare for the 2028 assembly elections. Siddaramaiah will turn 80 by then, and the party hopes a fresh face could help counter anti-incumbency. There are indications that Siddaramaiah's son could be accommodated in the cabinet as part of the settlement.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also understood to have backed the leadership change during the Delhi meeting.

Mixed Reactions Within Party

The power tussle has been simmering for over a year. While Shivakumar's camp points to the rotational arrangement, Siddaramaiah's loyalists have consistently denied any such deal. In recent months, both leaders maintained a public show of unity even as differences persisted on cabinet expansion and other issues.

Shivakumar, a powerful Vokkaliga leader credited with strengthening the party organisation, has positioned himself as the natural successor. Siddaramaiah, on the other hand, has been credited with several welfare initiatives during his tenure.

As of Wednesday evening, the situation remained fluid. A Congress Legislature Party meeting is expected soon after the resignation to formally elect the new leader.

Political observers note that the change could bring new energy to the government but also carries risks of internal unrest if not handled delicately. Karnataka remains crucial for Congress in the south, and the party will be keen to ensure stability ahead of future electoral battles.

The coming days are likely to witness hectic political activity in Bengaluru as the transition unfolds.

PM Modi In Karnataka: Water Conservation, Natural Farming Push

9 Resolutions For Public Welfare

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged the people of Karnataka to adopt nine key lifestyle resolutions. These include water conservation, improved water management, and chemical-free natural farming. The appeal came during his day-long tour of the state, focusing on environmental sustainability and community outreach.

Temple Inauguration At Adichunchanagiri

The Prime Minister inaugurated the Shri Guru Bhairavaikya Temple at Sri Kshetra Adichunchanagiri Math in Mandya district. The temple holds deep religious significance for the Vokkaliga community, a politically influential agrarian group in Karnataka. Former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda attended the event.

‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign

Modi highlighted the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ tree plantation drive during his address. He also stressed cleanliness of public and religious places. Officials present at the venue said the PM spent nearly half an hour inside the temple complex, gathering information about its heritage and ongoing social projects.

Vocal For Local, Millets Push

The PM promoted ‘Vocal for Local’ to boost domestic products. He also encouraged domestic tourism and consumption of nutritious millets. Another resolution focused on reducing cooking oil usage. Sources indicated these themes align with the government’s broader mission on health and self-reliance.

Homage To Balagangadharanatha Swamiji

The temple inauguration honoured the late Dr. Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji, widely respected for his social service. He had established numerous educational institutions and healthcare facilities across Karnataka. His belief — service to society as the highest form of worship — continues to inspire millions, according to math authorities.

Delhi-Dehradun Corridor Day Before

A day prior, on Tuesday, the PM inaugurated the ₹12,000 crore Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor. The 213-km, six-lane expressway cuts travel time from six hours to about two and a half hours. A 12-km elevated wildlife corridor — one of Asia’s longest — ensures minimal disruption to elephant movement. The PM called it a model of development with environmental balance.

What Next For Karnataka’s Farming

State officials said the PM’s push for natural farming may soon translate into fresh central schemes for Karnataka. The government is likely to launch awareness drives on millet cultivation and water harvesting in Mandya and surrounding districts. Political analysts said the Vokkaliga outreach could have implications for the ruling party’s electoral prospects in Old Mysuru region.