Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jun 3: Senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar was sworn in as the 34th chief minister of Karnataka at a grand ceremony held at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru on Wednesday June 3.

Eight-time legislator and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Shivakumar took oath at Lok Bhavan led by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at 4.15 pm. 

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by senior Congress leaders from across the country including Rahul Gandhi, K C Venugopal, Mallikarjun Kharge and Randeep Surjewala, party workers, elected representatives and supporters. Along with Shivakumar, 13 ministers were also inducted into the Cabinet as part of the first phase of government formation.

Shivakumar swore in in the name of the late seer Gangadhara Ajjayya while also holding a copy of the Constitution. He also offered floral tributes to the seer on stage before taking oath.

G Parameshwara (former home minister) took oath as deputy chief minister in the name of B R Ambedkar. Later K H Muniyappa (former Food and Supplies Minister) and K J George (former energy minister) took oath of office in the name of God.

M B Patil (former large and medium industries minister) took oath in the name of Vishwaguru Basavanna and other Sharanas, as well as Siddheshwar Swamiji.

The other names in the state cabinet include Yathindra Siddaramaiah, U T Khader, Satish Jarkiholi, Ramalinga Reddy, Krishna Byregowda, Priyank Kharge, Ishwar Khandre, Byrathi Suresh and Sharan Prakash Patil.

The new Cabinet reflects a mix of experienced leaders and key regional representatives as the Congress moves swiftly to establish its administrative framework.