Opts For Low-Key Ceremony, Citing Fuel Price Hike & Traffic JamBENGALURU: After years of political manoeuvring and months of intense power tussle with Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar is finally set to realise his long-cherished dream of becoming Karnataka chief minister. He will be sworn in as the state’s 25th CM at Glass House in Lok Bhavan at 3.30pm on June 3.Party members said the date was finalised following consultations with Shivakumar’s personal astrologer Bellur Dwarakanath. A firm believer in astrology, Shivakumar was advised to take oath during an auspicious period beginning around 4.05pm on that day.The timing is also expected to facilitate the presence of leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Priyanka, party sources said, played a key role during the final stages of talks as the leadership transition gathered momentum.
Despite the political significance of the occasion, Congress has decided against a grand ceremony. “We had initially planned to hold the event on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha with 15,000 to 20,000 people from different parts of the state in attendance, but decided against it considering people’s sufferings due to inflation and fuel price hike,” state Congress working president G CChandrashekhar said.“Shivakumar also insisted that it should be a simple event, reflecting the party’s commitment to public service. Since it is a working day, we also wanted to avoid inconvenience to the public,” he added. On Saturday, Shivakumar was unanimously elected leader of Congress Legislature Party at a meeting in Vidhana Soudha.Attention turns to cabinet formationShivakumar’s election as CLP leader marked the first change in CLP leadership in 17 years, with Siddaramaiah holding the position throughout that period.At the CLP meet, Siddaramaiah himself proposed Shivakumar’s name, while former home minister G Parameshwara seconded the motion before it received unanimous backing from legislators. Later, Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal made the formal announcement.Soon after the meeting, Shiv akumar called on governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot and formally staked claim to form govt. Attention has now shifted to cabinet formation, with several ministers likely to be sworn in alongside Shivakumar if consultation s are completed before Tuesday.Chandrashekhar appealed to party workers not to travel to the venue, assuring that Shivakumar would go on district tours to interact with Congress workers and the public. Congress is attempting to strike a balance between caste, community and regional interests while accommodating various party factions after Siddaramaiah’s exit from the top post.Party insiders said plans to appoint multiple deputy chief ministers, in line with the Ahinda social coalition formula, are being reconsidered because of the large number of aspirants.Discussions are also under way on key portfolios in the new cabinet, with Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra being tipped for a significant role. However, sources said the outgoing chief minister is not keen o n his induction in the cabinet.
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