Even as Karnataka prepares for a change in leadership, the state’s most prominent official residence will not see a change of occupant. An understanding has been reached between outgoing Chief Minister
Siddaramaiah and Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar regarding Cauvery, the official bungalow traditionally occupied by the sitting Chief Minister.
Under the arrangement, Siddaramaiah is expected to continue living in the bungalow and formally retain it until 2028 despite stepping down from the top post. As a result, DK Shivakumar will not move into the residence after taking office.
Instead, Shivakumar is expected to continue operating from and staying at his private residence for the time being. He is likely to shift later to another government-allotted property that will serve as his official residence, India Today reported.
The arrangement mirrors a precedent from Karnataka’s recent political history. In 2021, former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa continued to reside in the official bungalow even after resigning from office, making the current understanding between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar less unusual than it may appear.
DK Shivakumar To Be Sworn In Tomorrow
After years of anticipation, DK Shivakumar is set to take oath as Karnataka’s 25th Chief Minister on Wednesday at Lok Bhavan.
The Chief Minister-designate has said the ceremony will be deliberately kept low-key to minimise inconvenience to the public and avoid traffic disruptions in Bengaluru.
“We have decided to have a low-key swearing-in function at Lok Bhavan to avoid chaos in Bengaluru. We also have to help the common people,” he said.
Explaining the decision, Shivakumar noted that the ceremony falls on a working day and that a large influx of supporters is expected in the city.
“Since it is a working day, we do not want chaos in Bengaluru city. More than 17,000 vehicles have already been booked to bring party workers and supporters to the capital. Police officers were worried about traffic disruption and public grievances,” he added.
