DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah head to Delhi to finalize new Karnataka cabinet
Ahead of the upcoming swearing-in ceremony at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru, Chief Minister-elect DK Shivakumar and outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah traveled to Delhi on Monday to finalize the new Karnataka government cabinet. The leaders are meeting with the Congress party high command to decide on the first set of ministerial names and administrative appointments.
The swearing-in ceremony for Shivakumar is scheduled to take place on Wednesday. According to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the formation of the state cabinet will be executed in two phases. The first phase of inductions will occur this week, while the second phase will follow within 15 to 30 days.
Kharge stated in Kalaburagi that no final decision has been made regarding the creation of a deputy chief minister post or the specific names for the cabinet. He added that the discussion on whether to swear in eight or ten ministers on Wednesday remains open, noting that the final decision ultimately rests with the new Chief Minister after June 3.
In addition to the cabinet, the party is searching for a new Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president to replace Shivakumar. Kharge indicated that the party is looking for a fast-paced, inclusive leader who can maintain social and political balance, especially with assembly elections only 24 months away.
Due to limited seating capacity at Lok Bhavan, Shivakumar announced that the oath-taking ceremony on Wednesday will be live-streamed for party workers. The broadcast will be made available at select locations, including the party's old office address and the office on Queen's Road in Bengaluru. Invitees to the physical event include national politicians, state MLAs, current and former MPs, and block and district party presidents.
Shivakumar also shared updates on party infrastructure in Bengaluru. He has extended an invitation to Kharge and Rahul Gandhi for the foundation-laying ceremony of a new Congress office on Race Course Road. Furthermore, another office is planned for construction on Queens Road under the leadership of Ramalinga Reddy, as part of a larger plan to establish 100 Congress offices across Karnataka.
