DK Shivakumar sworn in as Karnataka's 25th Chief Minister in Bengaluru
Synopsis
DK Shivakumar's oath as Karnataka's 25th Chief Minister was more than a ceremony — it was a carefully staged show of Congress unity. With Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and two sitting Congress CMs flanking him at the Glass House, the AICC signalled closure on months of speculation over the Karnataka transition.
Key Takeaways
Shivakumar was sworn in as the 25th Chief Minister of Karnataka on 3 June .
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath at the Glass House , Lok Bhavan , Bengaluru.
Mallikarjun Kharge , Rahul Gandhi , Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Revanth Reddy were among key attendees.
Shivakumar took the oath holding the Constitution and invoking Veera Gangadhara Ajja .
He felicitated outgoing CM Siddaramaiah with a shawl before the proceedings began.
D.K. Shivakumar, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, was sworn in as the 25th Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, 3 June, at a high-profile ceremony at the Glass House inside the Lok Bhavan premises in Bengaluru. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath of office and secrecy in the presence of senior national Congress leaders and constitutional dignitaries.
How the ceremony unfolded
Amid loud slogans from supporters, Shivakumar walked to the dais and first paid floral tributes to the portrait of Sri Veera Gangadhara Swamiji — popularly known as Ajjayya, Nonavinakere Ajja, or Veera Gangadhara Ajja — before proceeding to the podium. He took the oath holding a copy of the Constitution and invoked the name of the revered seer, whom he regards as his spiritual guide.
The proceedings opened with the rendition of Vande Mataram, followed by the National Anthem performed by the Karnataka State Police Band, and the state anthem. Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh welcomed the dignitaries and formally sought the Governor's permission to begin the oath-taking.
Who attended
The ceremony drew a heavyweight Congress turnout, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Kerala Congress leader V.D. Satheesan, AICC General Secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, along with other senior party functionaries. Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru was also present.
A gracious handover
Before the formal proceedings began, Shivakumar felicitated outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah by draping a shawl over his shoulders — a symbolic gesture in a transition that has been the subject of intense speculation within the Karnataka Congress for months.
What it signals for Karnataka politics
The elevation marks the beginning of a new chapter in Karnataka, with Shivakumar assuming the top job amid the visible backing of the AICC leadership. The choreographed presence of Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and two sitting Congress Chief Ministers underlined the party's intent to project unity around the transition.
Attention will now shift to Cabinet formation, portfolio allocation and how the new Chief Minister balances continuity with his own administrative priorities in the months ahead.
Point of View
The AICC's choice to stack the dais with Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and two sitting Congress Chief Ministers was a deliberate signal that the transition is settled at the top. The real test, however, begins now — Cabinet balance, portfolio allocation and managing a predecessor who still commands a sizeable following within the Karnataka unit. If the Congress can avoid the post-transition turbulence that has plagued its state governments elsewhere, this swearing-in could become a template; if not, it will join a familiar pattern.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Karnataka's 25th Chief Minister?
D.K. Shivakumar, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, was sworn in as the 25th Chief Minister of Karnataka on 3 June at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath of office and secrecy.
Who attended DK Shivakumar's swearing-in ceremony?
AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, K.C. Venugopal, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Kerala Congress leader V.D. Satheesan attended. Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru was also present.
What happened to outgoing CM Siddaramaiah at the ceremony?
Shivakumar felicitated outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah by draping a shawl over his shoulders before the formal proceedings began. The gesture marked a symbolic handover after months of speculation over the Karnataka Congress leadership transition.
Where was the swearing-in ceremony held?
The ceremony was held at the Glass House within the Lok Bhavan premises in Bengaluru. It opened with Vande Mataram, followed by the National Anthem performed by the Karnataka State Police Band and the state anthem.
Why is this transition politically significant?
The elevation closes a prolonged tussle within the Karnataka Congress between the Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah camps. The visible presence of the AICC's top leadership at the oath signalled the party's intent to project unity around the new Chief Minister.
