Congress leader DK Shivakumar took oath as the 18th chief minister of Karnataka at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
According to Hindustan Times’ live coverage of the swearing-in ceremony, the oath was administered around 4 pm, while G Parameshwar was sworn in as deputy chief minister.
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Heartiest congratulations to Shri @DKShivakumar Garu on assuming office as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
— Pawan Kalyan (@PawanKalyan) June 3, 2026
I convey my best wishes as he takes on this important responsibility in service of the people of Karnataka. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka share a longstanding relationship… pic.twitter.com/reGxvowqnO
The benches fill, one by one
Alongside Shivakumar and Parameshwar, 13 ministers took an oath as part of the new cabinet.
Those named included K H Muniyappa, K J George, M B Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, Sathish Jarakiholi, Krishna Byregowda, Priyank Kharge, U T Khader, Eshwar Khandre, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Byrathi Suresh, and Sharan Prakash Patil.
Karnataka Congress MLAs and leaders described the moment as significant, while security was tightened outside Shivakumar’s residence ahead of the ceremony.
Congratulations to Shri DK Shivakumar Ji on taking oath as Chief Minister of Karnataka. Best wishes for his tenure. The Centre will work closely with the Karnataka Government for the welfare of the people.@DKShivakumar
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 3, 2026
The waiting game finds its conclusion
The transition comes after a long power tussle within the Congress following its return to power in Karnataka in May 2023, when an arrangement was made for Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, the two main claimants to the top post, to split the five-year tenure as chief minister.
Shivakumar was elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party on May 30, setting the stage for Wednesday’s swearing-in.
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The congratulations begin to pour in
During the day, several senior leaders extended greetings to Shivakumar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him and said, “The Centre will work closely with the Karnataka Government for the welfare of the people,” while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wished him success in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Karnataka.
Shivakumar also posted on X, “Your right is to action alone, never to the fruits thereof,” and earlier wrote a tribute to Rajiv Gandhi, saying Gandhi had seen potential in him before he could see it in himself.
