Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and Karnataka Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday, 31 May said the party high command would determine whether cabinet ministers would be sworn in alongside him at the swearing-in ceremony set for June 3. Shivakumar declined to elaborate further, deferring entirely to the central leadership on the composition of the incoming government.

Shivakumar's Stand on Cabinet Formation

When asked about the new government's ministerial lineup, Shivakumar told reporters: 'I do not know about that. The party high command will take a decision. I do not wish to comment on the matter.' The statement signals that decisions on who joins the cabinet — and when — remain with the All India Congress Committee (AICC) leadership in Delhi, not with the Chief Minister-designate himself.

Congress Bhavan Foundation Stone Planned After Swearing-In

Shivakumar was speaking to reporters after inspecting the proposed site for a new Congress Bhavan near Race Course Road in Bengaluru. He said the party is considering holding the foundation stone-laying ceremony — the bhoomi puja — for the new party office immediately after the June 3 swearing-in. AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi are yet to confirm their attendance for the bhoomi puja. Shivakumar noted that the formal invitation to Gandhi had not yet been handed over.

Ceremony to Be Invite-Only, LED Screens for Party Workers

The swearing-in will be a controlled, invite-only event due to space constraints at the venue. Invitations will be extended to block and district Congress presidents, MLAs, former MLAs, presidents of party frontal organisations, Members of Parliament, and chairpersons of corporations and boards. The general public and rank-and-file party workers will not be accommodated at the venue. To include workers symbolically, arrangements have been made for them to watch the proceedings on LED screens at the Congress office. 'We should at least provide this opportunity to the leaders who worked and struggled for us,' Shivakumar said.

Lok Bhavan Chosen as Venue to Avoid Traffic Disruption

On the choice of venue, Shivakumar confirmed the ceremony will be held at Lok Bhavan rather than the traditional steps of Vidhana Soudha. The shift is intended to prevent traffic congestion and minimise disruption to Bengaluru residents given the large number of attendees expected. Preparations for the event are being coordinated under senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy. Shivakumar also said plans to lay foundation stones for 100 party offices across Karnataka would be taken up in the coming days.

All eyes now turn to the AICC's final call on cabinet composition, which will set the political tone for the new Congress government in Karnataka.