DK Shivakumar's Dream Team? 13 Ministers Set To Take Oath Today Amid Deputy CM Buzz

Congress leader DK Shivakumar is set to take oath as Karnataka's Chief Minister at Bengaluru's Lok Bhavan on Wednesday at 4 PM, with the Congress high command close to finalising the composition of his first council of ministers after days of intense consultations in New Delhi.The swearing-in ceremony comes after a series of high-level meetings involving Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah. Discussions focused not only on ministerial berths but also on the Deputy Chief Minister's post, organisational restructuring within the state unit and the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.While the final list is yet to be officially announced,

party leaders have indicated that around 13 ministers are likely to take oath alongside Shivakumar.Probable Ministers In DK Shivakumar's First CabinetSources suggest the following leaders are among the strongest contenders for inclusion in the first phase of cabinet formation:

• G Parameshwara
• KJ George
• Yathindra Siddaramaiah
• Priyank Kharge
• MB Patil
• Satish Jarkiholi
• Krishna Byre Gowda
• Ramalinga Reddy
• UT Khader
• Eshwar Khandre
• Laxmi Hebbalkar
• Roopakala Shashidhar
• BK Hariprasad

According to Times Now sources, another list of probable inductees includes KJ George, G Parameshwara, Ramalinga Reddy, Krishna Byre Gowda, UT Khader, MB Patil, Satish Jarkiholi, Priyank Kharge, Yathindra Siddaramaiah and Laxmi Hebbalkar, indicating broad convergence on several senior names expected to make the cut.

Deputy CM Decision Still Pending

Even as cabinet formation appears to be nearing completion, the question of Deputy Chief Ministers remains unresolved. Senior party leaders have indicated that there is only a slim possibility of a Deputy Chief Minister being appointed immediately. The issue may be revisited during a future cabinet expansion and after the Rajya Sabha elections.However, if a Deputy Chief Minister is named in the first phase itself, current Home Minister G Parameshwara is widely seen as the frontrunner.There is also speculation within Congress circles that Karnataka could eventually have multiple Deputy Chief Ministers as part of a broader social and regional balancing exercise.The final round of consultations gathered pace on Tuesday, with Siddaramaiah meeting the party leadership in Delhi. Priyank Kharge also held discussions with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge amid speculation over his role in the new government.Speaking to reporters after arriving in Bengaluru on Tuesday night, Shivakumar said the final list of ministers would be communicated by the party high command on Wednesday morning or later in the afternoon. With the oath ceremony now just hours away, all eyes are on Bengaluru as Congress prepares to unveil the first team that will work alongside DK Shivakumar in what could be one of the party's most closely watched state governments.