In an epochal moment in Karnataka, D. K. Shivakumar took oath as the 25th Chief Minister of Karnataka in a grand ceremony at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot in front of the senior political leaders, religious heads, celebrities and hundreds of supporters.
Shivakumar, one of the most influential leaders in the Karnataka Congress, took the oath in the name of Gangadharajja, a revered figure in his family and community. In a traditional silk dhoti, white jubba and shawl, he was portrayed as a man of the people in the highest executive office of Karnataka in an effort to represent the people.
The ceremony was attended by many prominent Congress leaders from all over the country. Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and K. C. Venugopal were among them. The leadership change in the Congress party was reflected in their participation, and Karnataka was of great significance to the party’s national political strategy.
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Siddaramaiah, former Karnataka Chief Minister, was also present, a sign of party unity following the leadership change. Not only were some senior Congress functionaries, elected representatives and party workers present in the historic gathering.
Leaders from other states also attended the ceremony, including A. Revanth Reddy. Some senior Congress figures, including Randeep Singh Surjewala, B. K. Hariprasad, Mohammad Azharuddin and Rajeev Shukla, were among the dignitaries.
The event also reflected Karnataka’s social and cultural diversity. Religious leaders from different Hindu mutts, Muslim clerics and Christian church representatives attended the function, offering blessings and wishing good wishes to the new Chief Minister. Some people from the Kannada film industry were also present, as well as Shivakumar’s family.
Political observers noted the presence of expelled BJP legislators Shivaram Hebbar and S. T. Somashekar, who were in the same room leading to much political discussion.
Before coming to Raj Bhavan for the oath-taking ceremony, Shivakumar had special religious rituals at his home in Sadashivanagar. According to reports, more than five priests performed elaborate prayers and Vedic rituals at his home to seek God’s blessing for his tenure as Chief Minister. His family and close friends attended the ceremonies that were held in accordance with traditional customs.
The swearing-in is just the beginning of Karnataka’s new political landscape. Shivakumar is known for his organisational and political skills and now has the job of steering the state on infrastructure development, economic growth, investment promotion, welfare programs, and governance reforms.
His elevation to the Chief Minister's post is a major milestone in the long political journey stretching back decades of grassroots activism, parliamentary service and leadership in the Congress party. He is believed to have administrative experience and a political network in place to buttress the government’s agenda in the coming years.
But as Karnataka’s 25th Chief Minister comes into power, expectations from party workers, supporters and citizens are high. Shivakumar will be able to translate his political know-how into governance and balance that he will have to make decisions in the middle of a developing state.
