The Congress government in Karnataka turned a new leaf on Wednesday (June 3, 2026) with its eight-time legislator and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President D.K. Shivakumar sworn in as the 25th Chief Minister of the State. Amid confusion and pushback in the party on creation of the Deputy Chief Minister’s post, senior Dalit leader from Koratgere in Tumakuru district G. Parameshwara was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister.

In a subdued but packed ceremony at Glass House in Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru and in the presence of a host of party leaders and religious heads among others, Mr. Shivakumar, who took over the reigns of the State from veteran OBC leader Siddaramaiah, was sworn in along with 13 Cabinet ministers including Mr. Parameshwara. Mr. Shivakumar, who led the Congress to victory in 2023 elections as the KPCC Chief, will have little less than two years term before the next assembly elections.

Karnataka CM swearing-in LIVE: D.K. Shivakumar takes oath in the name of late seer Gangadhar Ajjayya

Party picks seniors over fresh faces

The Congress, which held hectic parleys over the last two days amid growing pressure from Cabinet hopefuls, finally released the list of leaders just hours ahead of the swearing in. Belying expectations that young and fresh faces would be inducted, the party has gone with seniors barring Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of Mr. Siddaramaiah, who is making his debut as a cabinet minister.

Among those to take oath included U.T. Khader, who earlier resigned from the post of Speaker. With an exception to Mr. Khader, who was a minister in Mr. Siddaramaiah’s first term, and Dr. Yathindra, all others sworn in on Wednesday (June 2) served under Mr. Siddaramaiah in the second term. Those inducted to cabinet include K.H. Muniyappa, K.J. George, M.B. Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, Satish Jarkiholi, Krishna Byregowda, Priyank Kharge, Eshwar Khandre, Byrathi Suresh and Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil.

With the party coming under enormous pressure from cabinet hopefuls, the second phase of expansion is expected to be taken up after the Rajya Sabha and Karnataka Legislative Council polls scheduled on June 18. It is also likely that a few cabinet berths could be kept vacant even after the expansion to quell any dissidence activities.

Among those in attendance were Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy along with many others.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Mr. Shivakumar arrived in Vidhan Soudha where he garlanded the statute of B.R. Ambedkar.

In the name of God and godmen

Soon after M.B. Patil was sworn in as the Cabinet Minister, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajineesh announced that Governor Thaawardchand Gehlot had asked those taking oath to stick to the text given for them. The Governor while congratulating Mr. Patil also had a word with him. However, it was later clarified to him that none of the Ministers had deviated from the script.

While Ministers K.H. Muniyappa, K.J. George, Sharan Prakash Patil, Byrathi Suresh and U.T. Khader took oath in the name of God, first time minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, took oath in the name of the constitution.

Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara took oath in the name of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. M.B. Patil took oath in thename of Basavanna, Basava Sharanas and Siddeshwara Swamiji while Eshwar Khandre took oath in the name of god, Basavanna and Chennabasava Pattadevaru. Ministers Ramalinga Reddy, Satish Jarkiholi, Krishna Byregowda and Priyank Kharge did not refer to any personality.

Starting troubles

The commencement of the oath taking ceremony had a faux pas when the Chief Secretary asked everyone to stand for the Vande Mataram. Briefly, instead of Vande Mataram, the State Anthem ‘Bharatha Jananiya Tanujathe’ was played. Vande Mataram was followed by national anthem and state anthem later.

Of the letter and the spirit

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar held a copy of the Constitution in his hands when he was being sworn-in. He took oath in the name of late Veera Gangadhara Ajjaiah to whose portrait — kept on stage — he offered floral tributes before taking oath. He termed Ajjaiah as “my grandfather” while taking the oath. The Chief Minister has been an ardent devotee of the late seer. He also knelt down to bow to the audience.

Jubilant CM

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was all about the hugs and backslaps during the swearing-in ceremony. A visibly happy and elated Mr. Shivakumar hugged former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and patted the backs of Ministers who were sworn-in along with him on Wednesday (June 3, 2026).