Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday, 3 June, telephoned Karnataka Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar hours before his swearing-in, urging him to ‘take everyone along' as he assumes the state's top office. The conversation, confirmed by Shivakumar's office, came as the Congress leader prepared to be sworn in at the Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru alongside his Council of Ministers.

What Sonia Gandhi told Shivakumar

According to a statement from the Chief Minister-designate's office, the former Congress president congratulated Shivakumar on his elevation and conveyed confidence in his ability to steer the state government effectively.

‘Take everyone along. I have immense confidence that you will lead Karnataka successfully. Discharge your new responsibilities effectively and continue to achieve greater success,' Sonia Gandhi told Shivakumar, as quoted in the statement.

She also advised him to focus on strengthening both the party organisation and the government simultaneously — a message that carries weight given Karnataka's recent internal churn within the Congress.

Shivakumar's response

Speaking to the media after the call, Shivakumar acknowledged the long-standing trust the Gandhi family has placed in him. ‘Sonia Gandhi ji called me this morning and conveyed her greetings. She has reposed confidence in me for a long time. I will strive to carry forward the good work,' he said.

He added that he would continue to draw on the experience of senior leaders in Karnataka politics. Before heading to the Lok Bhavan for the swearing-in, Shivakumar sought the blessings of his mother, Gowramma, touching her feet in a private moment at his residence.

Siddaramaiah elevated to CWC

Separately, AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala congratulated former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on his appointment to the Congress Working Committee (CWC), describing him as ‘a great strength' to the party.

‘Heartiest congratulations to Siddaramaiah on being appointed as a member of the Congress Working Committee. His immense experience in public life, steadfast commitment to social justice and unwavering belief in constitutional values will further strengthen the party and its ideological struggle,' Surjewala said in a statement.

He noted that Siddaramaiah's eight years of administrative experience as Karnataka Chief Minister would help expand the Congress footprint nationally, particularly under the leadership of party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

The bigger picture

The twin developments — Shivakumar's elevation and Siddaramaiah's CWC induction — point to a calibrated rebalancing within the Karnataka Congress. The ‘take everyone along' message is widely read as a nudge toward managing factional equations, particularly with Siddaramaiah loyalists, as the new government settles in.

What happens next will depend on how Shivakumar structures his Cabinet and whether the power-sharing arithmetic that shaped this transition holds through the term.