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.

PM Modi Arrives in Kolkata as Suvendu Adhikari Set to Take Oath as Bengal CM Today

Thousands gather at Brigade Parade Ground for historic swearing-in ceremony; 20 NDA chief ministers to attend

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at the RCTC Ground in Kolkata just before 10 am on Saturday, marking the start of a high-stakes day that will see Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as West Bengal's first BJP chief minister. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for 11 am at the historic Brigade Parade Ground.

Adhikari, dressed in a saffron kurta for the occasion, arrived at the airport to receive the Prime Minister. The gesture carried political weight, signalling the close coordination between the BJP's central leadership and its newest state government.

Historic Transition of Power

The legislative party meeting held Friday at a Convention Centre in Kolkata formally elected Adhikari as their leader. Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the decision shortly after. Adhikari then met the Governor at Lok Bhavan to stake claim for forming the government.

For the BJP, this represents a breakthrough in a state it had never governed before. The party's performance in last month's assembly elections reshaped West Bengal's political map.

Massive Gathering Expected

Authorities expect over one lakh people to assemble at the Brigade Parade Ground. Four thousand security personnel have been deployed across the venue. Barricades are being installed to manage the crowd, and waterproof tents have been set up as a precaution against unpredictable late-morning weather.

The pandal features a Bengal theme with approximately 20 varieties of flowers used for decoration. A large floral rangoli has been arranged before the main stage. The vehicle meant to carry Adhikari and PM Modi to the podium has also been specially decorated.

NDA Leaders Flock to Kolkata

Chief ministers from 20 NDA and BJP-ruled states have arrived to attend the ceremony. Among those confirmed present are Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary, and Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, and BJP president JP Nadda have also reached the venue. Gadkari landed earlier this morning, while Nadda left his hotel shortly before 9.30 am.

Ground-Level Preparations

Beyond the political spectacle, organisers have arranged stalls selling local favourites like jhalmuri and rasgulla. The VIP lunch menu includes aloo dum, black lentils, pulao, mixed vegetables, masala kulcha, baingan bhaja saag, aloo poshto, and gulab jamun for dessert.

A memorial has been erected at the ground for BJP workers killed in political violence in West Bengal over recent years. Party leaders have framed the swearing-in as a tribute to those deaths.

What Comes Next

BJP's Dilip Jaiswal told reporters earlier that the new government would work to fulfil the vision of a "new Bengal". Party leader Sankar Ghosh described the moment as time to meet the aspirations of the state's people.

Adhikari himself called the BJP's Bengal victory a "historic dawn" in a statement released Friday evening. Once sworn in, his immediate challenges will include cabinet formation and administrative transition in a state where the BJP previously had no governing experience.

The ceremony is expected to conclude by early afternoon.

Tamil Nadu witnessed brisk polling on Thursday as voting for all 234 Assembly constituencies progressed in a single phase. According to official data, voter turnout reached 37.56 per cent by 11 am and climbed to 56.81 per cent by 1 pm, indicating steady participation across urban and rural pockets.

Polling began at 7 am under tight security arrangements, with authorities deploying extensive personnel to ensure smooth conduct. The Tamil Nadu Assembly Election Live updates suggest a largely peaceful process, with only minor logistical issues reported in isolated areas.

Strong Voter Turnout

Election officials said the turnout trend reflects sustained voter enthusiasm. Several districts recorded higher-than-expected participation in the early hours, particularly in southern and western regions.

Queues were seen outside polling booths from early morning, with elderly voters, women and first-time electors turning up in significant numbers. Officials indicated that the turnout could rise further as evening polling continues.

Celebrities Cast Votes

Prominent personalities from the film industry and politics also exercised their franchise during the day. Actor Arjun Sarja, after casting his vote, urged elected representatives to honour their promises.

“Whoever wins should fulfil the commitments made to the people,” he said, echoing a sentiment widely shared among voters.

Tech Innovation at Booths

In a unique development, a government arts college in Coimbatore deployed a robot to welcome voters at a polling station. The robot greeted visitors and distributed sweets, drawing attention on social media.

According to local reports, the device was developed by a student using voice processing and remote-control technology, showcasing innovation amid the democratic exercise.

Vigil on Fake Voting

Amid concerns over bogus voting, DMK leader TKS Elangovan said strict monitoring mechanisms were in place. He stated that voters must present valid identification and booth slips to cast their vote.

“Officials and polling agents are closely watching every booth. Only genuine voters are being allowed,” he said, dismissing allegations of irregularities. Election authorities have also installed surveillance systems and deployed multiple agents per booth to prevent malpractice.

Unique Voter Stories

The polling day also saw moments reflecting public commitment to democracy. In Kanchipuram, a newly married couple arrived at a polling booth shortly after completing their wedding rituals.

Visuals of the groom and bride in traditional attire casting their votes quickly went viral, symbolising civic responsibility taking precedence even on personal milestones.

Background and Stakes

Tamil Nadu remains a key political battleground with major parties contesting fiercely for control of the state Assembly. The single-phase election aims to determine the leadership for the next five years.

The Election Commission had intensified voter awareness campaigns in recent weeks, encouraging maximum participation. Issues such as governance, welfare schemes, employment and infrastructure have dominated the campaign discourse.

What Lies Ahead

Polling will continue till evening, after which electronic voting machines will be sealed and secured under strict supervision. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, when the final outcome will be declared.