Constitution In Hand, DK Shivakumar Begins New Chapter As Karnataka CM

After months of intense speculation and internal power struggles within the Karnataka Congress, DK Shivakumar was sworn in as the state's 25th Chief Minister on Wednesday in a grand ceremony attended by senior party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. However, what caught everybody's attention was Shivakumar's symbolic gesture during the oath-taking ceremony, where the Congress leader took the oath of office while holding a copy of the Indian Constitution.Notably, Shivakumar's gesture of carrying the Constitution during the swearing-in was hinting towards the Congress leader's commitment to constitutional values and democratic governance.

#WATCH | Bengaluru: Carrying a copy of the Constitution of India, DK Shivakumar takes oath as the Chief

Minister of Karnataka. (Video Source: Congress) pic.twitter.com/gYMsDu8hqL

— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2026

Alongside Shivakumar, veteran Congress leader G Parameshwara took oath as the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister. In addition to Parameshwara, 12 other ministers were also inducted into the state cabinet, including Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Shivakumar Takes Oath As Karnataka CM

Shivakumar was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot at 4:10 pm at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru. Shivakumar, widely known as the Congress's troubleshooter in southern India, took over from Siddaramaiah, who stepped down from his post on May 28 as part of a pre-arranged leadership transition agreed upon by the party leadership.The change of guard took place following months of speculation over Karnataka's leadership change and power tussle between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. Notably, Siddaramaiah was also present at the swearing-in ceremony and even greeted Shivakumar after he took the oath.Supporters of Shivakumar also gathered in large numbers to witness the swearing-in of their leader. The newly sworn in Chief Minister also took the blessings of seers, who were also present at the swearing-in ceremony.

13 Ministers Took Oath In Shivakumar's Cabinet

The 13 MLAs who took oath along with Shivakumar are:

1. G Parameshwar
2. MB Patil
3. KJ George
4. KH Muniyappa
5. Ramalinga Reddy
6. Satish Jarkiholi
7. UT Khader
8. Krishna Byre Gowda
9. Priyank Kharge
10. Yathindra Siddaramaiah
11. Sharan Prakash Patil
12. Byrathi Suresh
13. Eshwar Khandre

With the swearing-in completed, the speculation on the portfolio allocations of Shivakumar and his new team begins.