D.K. Shivakumar, the Indian National Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and Karnataka Chief Minister-designate, on Sunday, 1 June declared that it was not he but the party's grassroots workers who were truly ascending to the top office, as celebrations erupted across Karnataka following his elevation. Speaking to reporters near Kumarakrupa Guest House in Bengaluru, Shivakumar struck a deliberately humble note on the eve of his Delhi visit.

Shivakumar's Message to the Party

'It is not I who is becoming the Chief Minister; it is the party workers who are becoming the Chief Minister,' Shivakumar told reporters, attributing the jubilation to decades of collective effort. He noted that he had been active within the party since 1979, when he first joined as a student leader. 'I am a loyal worker of the party... That is why they are celebrating,' he added.

Delhi Visit and Siddaramaiah Factor

Shivakumar confirmed that he and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were both scheduled to fly to Delhi together, departing from Bengaluru International Airport at 10 am on Monday, 1 June. His return schedule had not been finalised at the time of speaking. On being asked about a meeting with Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar described him as a colleague with whom he had worked before and would continue to work in the future.

Swearing-In Ceremony on June 3

The oath-taking ceremony is confirmed for 3 June and is being organised in a 'simple manner', according to Shivakumar, which limits the number of attendees. To ensure wider participation, arrangements have been made for party leaders and office-bearers 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,' he said. On whether ministers would be sworn in alongside him, Shivakumar deferred to the party high command, saying he would not comment on the matter.

Congress Bhavan and Party Infrastructure

Following the swearing-in, Shivakumar indicated plans to hold a bhoomi puja for a new Congress Bhavan near Race Course Road in Bengaluru, with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi yet to confirm their availability. He also referenced a plan to lay foundation stones for 100 party offices across Karnataka in the coming days.

RCB, Flower Allergies, and Other Remarks

Shivakumar used the occasion to weigh in on the IPL final involving Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), saying the match should have been held in Bengaluru and was 'shifted for political reasons', calling it an 'injustice'. He wished RCB well on behalf of the people of Karnataka. On a lighter note, he urged party workers not to bring garlands made of Sugandharaja flowers during his visits, citing a personal allergy, and said such garlands had been formally prohibited.

With the swearing-in just days away, all eyes are now on the composition of the new Karnataka cabinet and whether the Congress high command will finalise a power-sharing arrangement before 3 June.