Kharge, Rahul Gandhi land in Bengaluru for D.K. Shivakumar swearing-in
Synopsis
D.K. Shivakumar's swearing-in at Lok Bhavan wasn't just a ceremony — it was a national Congress statement. With Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and a full Telangana Cabinet contingent led by Revanth Reddy in attendance, the party signalled how much political capital it is placing on Karnataka, even as Shivakumar sought blessings from seers, Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty before taking charge.
Key Takeaways
Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi arrived at HAL Airport , Bengaluru, ahead of the swearing-in.
Shivakumar and outgoing CM Siddaramaiah received them before the ceremony at Lok Bhavan .
Shivakumar sought blessings from Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji , Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty .
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka led a strong Telangana Cabinet contingent.
Actor Shivarajkumar , Daali Dhananjaya , Ramya and former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin were among those present.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi arrived at HAL Airport in Bengaluru on Wednesday, where Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar and outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah received them ahead of the high-profile swearing-in ceremony at Lok Bhavan. The arrival sets the stage for a power transition that marks a new chapter in Karnataka's Congress-led government.
A warm welcome at HAL Airport
Shivakumar greeted the senior Indian National Congress (Congress) leaders with bouquets, with the leaders seen engaging in cordial conversation before heading to the oath-taking venue. The reception underlined the central leadership's stamp on a transition that has been closely watched within the party ranks.
Blessings sought at Lok Bhavan
On arriving at Lok Bhavan, Shivakumar interacted with invitees and dignitaries gathered at the Glass House and sought blessings from prominent personalities and religious leaders. He met Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji and touched the feet of Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty to seek their blessings before assuming office.
Cross-section of dignitaries in attendance
The ceremony drew a wide cross-section of guests, including actor Shivarajkumar, actor Daali Dhananjaya, and actress and former Congress MP Ramya. Former India cricket captain and politician Mohammad Azharuddin was also present. Seers and religious leaders from multiple faiths were invited, reflecting the inclusive framing of the event.
Strong Telangana contingent
A heavyweight contingent from neighbouring Telangana attended, led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. They were joined by Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, and other senior Telangana Cabinet members — a show of inter-state Congress solidarity.
Family's emotional response
Speaking to the media, Shivakumar's daughter Aishwarya Shivakumar said the occasion brought ‘greater responsibility' for her father. She noted that it was more than a dream fulfilled and that the family was praying for strength, adding that she was eager to see him govern Karnataka by drawing on his vast political experience.
What it signals
The presence of Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, alongside industrialists, film personalities, religious heads and party workers from across the country, signals the national weight the Congress is placing on the Karnataka transition. The next test for Shivakumar will be sustaining administrative momentum while managing intra-party equations in a state where the Congress has staked significant political capital.
Point of View
From touching Narayana Murthy's feet to seeking seers' blessings, is a deliberate pitch to Karnataka's plural constituencies. The real test, however, lies in governance delivery and managing the delicate Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar equation that has shadowed this transition.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who attended D.K. Shivakumar's swearing-in ceremony in Bengaluru?
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and outgoing Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah attended the ceremony at Lok Bhavan. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and several senior Telangana Cabinet ministers were also present.
Where was the swearing-in ceremony held?
The ceremony was held at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru. Shivakumar received guests at the Glass House before taking the oath of office.
Which celebrities and public figures were present at the event?
Actor Shivarajkumar, actor Daali Dhananjaya, actress and former Congress MP Ramya, and former India cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin were among those who attended. Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty were also present, and Shivakumar sought their blessings.
Why is the Telangana Cabinet's presence significant?
The attendance of Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and a large contingent of his Cabinet signals Congress solidarity across southern states. It underscores the party's effort to project a cohesive regional bloc in a region where it currently holds power in both Karnataka and Telangana.
What did Shivakumar's daughter say about the occasion?
Aishwarya Shivakumar told the media that the occasion brought greater responsibility for her father and was more than a dream fulfilled. She said the family was praying for his strength and expressed eagerness to see him govern Karnataka effectively.
