Congress veteran D.K. Shivakumar was officially sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, leading the state's new government. The ceremony, held at the Lok Bhavan's Glass House in Bengaluru, also saw G. Parameshwara take oath as the Deputy Chief Minister.
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath of office and secrecy to Shivakumar, Parameshwara, and 13 other ministers, marking the formation of the new cabinet. The event drew several prominent political figures, including former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.
New Cabinet Members Sworn In
Among the 13 ministers who took the oath were:
- K.H. Muniyappa
- K.J. George
- M.B. Patil
- Ramalinga Reddy
- Satish Jarkiholi
- Krishna Byregowda
- Priyank Kharge (son of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah)
- U.T. Khader (former Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly)
- Eashwar Khandre
- Byrathi Suresh
- Sharan Prakash Patil
Initial reports suggest that Priyank Kharge is likely to be allocated the Home Department, while G. Parameshwara is expected to oversee the Revenue portfolio. K. Ramalinga Reddy is anticipated to take charge of Bengaluru Development, and Krishna Byregowda is projected to head the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) departments.
Experience in the New Administration
Many of the newly sworn-in ministers bring prior experience to their roles, having served in the Siddaramaiah-led council of ministers previously. This blend of seasoned leadership and new appointments aims to steer Karnataka's governance. The formation of this government follows a period of political anticipation and signifies a new chapter for the state's administration.