Why DK Shivakumar is opting for low-key Karnataka CM oath ceremony

Bengaluru,UPDATED: May 31, 2026 21:17 IST

Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar on Sunday announced that his swearing-in ceremony on June 3 will be a low-key affair, citing concerns over traffic disruption in Bengaluru due to the anticipated influx of Congress workers and supporters from across Karnataka.

Shivakumar, who is scheduled to take oath as Karnataka's next Chief Minister at 4.05 pm at Lok Bhavan on Wednesday, said the decision was taken in consultation with party leaders and police authorities to ensure safety and minimal inconvenience to the public.

“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,” Shivakumar told reporters.

He said the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) had already informed party leaders that the ceremony would be restricted to key dignitaries.

“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 added.

To accommodate supporters unable to attend the event, the oath-taking ceremony will be broadcast live at the KPCC headquarters. Shivakumar said the party would not be able to accommodate all leaders and workers at the venue.

When asked whether other ministers would take oath alongside him, Shivakumar said the decision would be left to the Congress high command. “Whatever the party high command decides will be done,” he said.

Earlier this week, Siddaramaiah formally handed over the reins of Karnataka to DK Shivakumar. Shortly after the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) unanimously elected Shivakumar as its leader, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the party would continue to rely on Siddaramaiah's experience and leadership, both in Karnataka and at the national level.

Shivakumar's elevation was formalised at a CLP meeting held at Bengaluru's Vidhan Soudha, where Siddaramaiah, who stepped down as Chief Minister on May 28, proposed his successor's name.

The proposal was unanimously endorsed by party legislators, paving the way for Shivakumar to become Karnataka's next Chief Minister. Following his election, Shivakumar met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at Lok Bhavan and formally staked claim to form the new government in the state.

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