Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader D. K. Shivakumar was sworn in as the 25th Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday in a ceremony that blended political transition with a strong display of personal faith, as he took the oath invoking the name of Veera Gangadhara Ajjayya.
Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot administered the oath of office at the grand ceremony attended by senior Congress leaders, legislators and party workers. One of the most striking moments of the event was Shivakumar’s decision to take the oath in the name of Ajjayya, a revered spiritual figure he considers his guiding force.
Before beginning the formal oath, Shivakumar paid floral tributes to a portrait of Ajjayya placed on the stage, drawing attention from political observers and devotees present at the venue. The gesture highlighted the deep personal faith he associates with the saint and his spiritual lineage.
Alongside Shivakumar, 13 ministers were inducted into the newly formed cabinet, marking the first phase of government formation under the Congress leadership. Senior dalit leader G. Parameshwara was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister, reinforcing his position as a key figure in the new administration.
Of the 13 ministers, 11 had served in the previous Siddaramaiah-led government, reflecting continuity in governance and administrative experience. The only new entrants to the cabinet are Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and UT Khader, who recently resigned as Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the Oath of Office and Secrecy to Chief Minister Shri D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara and Ministers at a ceremony held at the Glass House, Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/yOz1d65kpf
— Thaawarchand Gehlot Office (@TcGehlotOffice) June 3, 2026
The ministers sworn in include K.H. Muniyappa, K.J. George, M.B. Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, Satish Jarkiholi, Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, U.T. Khader, Eshwar Khandre, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Byrathi Suresh and Sharan Prakash Patil.
Political observers noted that the cabinet reflects a carefully calibrated social and regional balance. The Vokkaliga community, to which Shivakumar belongs, has three representatives in the ministry, while the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community also has three ministers. An equal representation has been given to Scheduled Caste leaders, highlighting the party’s attempt to maintain caste equilibrium within governance.
Of the People, By the People, For the People
Today, with immense humility and a heart filled with gratitude, I took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka at Lok Bhavan. This moment belongs not to me alone, but to the people of Karnataka and the lakhs of dedicated karyakartas… pic.twitter.com/TxWa8WIbUp
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) June 3, 2026
The Kuruba community, associated with Siddaramaiah, has been allotted two ministerial positions. Representation has also been extended to Scheduled Tribes, Christian and Muslim communities. Regionally, Bengaluru Urban district has the highest representation with four ministers, followed by Kalaburagi with two, while several other districts including Tumakuru, Mysuru, Belagavi, Bidar, Dakshina Kannada and Vijayapura have one representative each.
Notably, no woman leader has been included in the first phase of cabinet expansion, a development that has already triggered debate within political circles. Party leaders have indicated that additional names may be included in the next round of expansion as the government stabilises.
Amid the political developments, Shivakumar’s invocation of Ajjayya remained the most discussed aspect of the ceremony. According to sources, the Chief Minister has long maintained close ties with the Ajjayya Mutt and often seeks spiritual guidance from its seers. The timing and arrangements of the swearing-in were reportedly finalised after consultations with Dr. Karivrushabha Shivayogishwara Swamiji, the present head of the mutt.
On the eve of the ceremony, Shivakumar visited the mutt’s branch in Nagarabhavi, Bengaluru, along with his family and spent several hours there in prayer and consultation. The spiritual institution, known formally as Kadasiddeshwara Mutt and popularly referred to as Ajjayya Mutt, is located in Nonavinakere in Tiptur taluk of Tumakuru district.
The mutt has long been regarded as an influential spiritual centre in Karnataka, attracting devotees from across communities, including political leaders. Many followers believe the blessings of Ajjayya guide them through life decisions and public responsibilities.
Shivakumar’s decision to invoke Ajjayya’s name at the moment of assuming the state’s highest constitutional office has underscored the continuing interplay of faith and politics in Karnataka. It also reflected how spiritual beliefs remain deeply embedded in the personal and public lives of several leaders in the state.
With the new cabinet in place and Shivakumar at the helm, Karnataka now enters a new political phase marked by both administrative continuity and symbolic gestures rooted in faith and tradition.
PM Modi congratulates
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy congratulated D. K. Shivakumar on assuming office as Karnataka’s new Chief Minister.
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಯಾಗಿ ಪ್ರಮಾಣವಚನ ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸಿದ ಶ್ರೀ ಡಿ.ಕೆ. ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ್ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು. ಅವರ ಅಧಿಕಾರಾವಧಿಗೆ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು. ಕೇಂದ್ರವು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸರ್ಕಾರದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಜನರ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ನಿಕಟವಾಗಿ ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರ್ವಹಿಸಲಿದೆ.@DKShivakumar
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 3, 2026
Taking to social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi extended his best wishes to Shivakumar and expressed hope for a successful tenure. He stated that the Centre would work closely with the Karnataka government for the welfare and development of the people of the state. Kumaraswamy also conveyed his greetings, wishing the new Chief Minister success in his responsibilities and governance.
