D.K. Shivakumar Says High Command to Decide on Ministers Ahead of June 3 Swearing-In

Bengaluru, May 2026 : Karnataka Chief Minister-designate and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader D. K. Shivakumar on Sunday said that the composition of the new state Cabinet and whether ministers would be sworn in alongside him on June 3 would be decided by the party’s central leadership.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the site identified for the proposed Congress Bhavan near Race Course Road in Bengaluru, Shivakumar declined to speculate on the formation of the new government. When asked whether ministers would take oath along with him, he said the matter was entirely in the hands of the Congress high command.

“I do not know about that. The party high command will take a decision. I do not wish to comment further on the issue,” he said.

Shivakumar also revealed plans for the construction of a new Congress office building in the state capital. According to him, the party is considering conducting the bhoomi puja, or foundation stone-laying ceremony, for the proposed Congress Bhavan immediately after the swearing-in ceremony.

He stated that invitations for the event would be extended to district and block Congress presidents, sitting and former legislators, Members of Parliament, office-bearers of party frontal organisations, and heads of various government corporations and boards. However, he clarified that the event would not be open to the general public due to space limitations.

“Our party workers should excuse us. Because of limited space at the venue, only invited guests can be accommodated,” Shivakumar said.

The Chief Minister-designate added that confirmation regarding the attendance of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi was still awaited. He also noted that the formal invitation had not yet been personally handed over to Rahul Gandhi.

Preparations for the foundation ceremony and related arrangements are being coordinated under the supervision of senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy.

Referring to the swearing-in ceremony, Shivakumar acknowledged that it would not be possible to invite all party workers and leaders due to logistical constraints. To ensure wider participation, arrangements are being made for party members and office-bearers to watch the proceedings on large LED screens at the Congress office.

“We should at least provide this opportunity to those leaders and workers who have struggled and worked for the party,” he said.

On plans to strengthen the party’s organisational infrastructure, Shivakumar said the Congress would soon move ahead with its proposal to establish around 100 party offices across Karnataka. He indicated that details regarding the initiative would be announced in the coming days.

Explaining the choice of venue for the June 3 swearing-in ceremony, Shivakumar said the event would be held at Lok Bhavan rather than on the grand steps of the Vidhana Soudha. The decision, he said, was taken to minimise inconvenience to Bengaluru residents and avoid major traffic disruptions that could result from large crowds and vehicle movement.

Emphasising that the ceremony would be conducted in a simple manner, Shivakumar once again appealed to party workers to understand the limitations imposed by the venue’s capacity, while assuring them that efforts were being made to ensure their participation through alternative arrangements.

Team Maverick.