D.K. Shivakumar to Take Oath as Karnataka CM Along with 13 Ministers; Parameshwara Named Deputy CM

Bengaluru, June 2026 : Karnataka is set to usher in a new political chapter on Wednesday as Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar takes the oath of office along with a 13-member ministerial team, marking the beginning of the new Congress government in the state. The swearing-in ceremony, scheduled at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan, is expected to draw top Congress leaders, party workers, and dignitaries from across the country.

In a significant development, senior Congress leader and former Home Minister G. Parameshwara has been named Deputy Chief Minister. The decision, conveyed officially by Shivakumar to the Governor’s office, reflects the party’s effort to ensure social and regional balance in the new administration. Parameshwara, one of the most prominent Dalit faces in Karnataka politics, is expected to play a key role in the government.

The first phase of cabinet formation includes several experienced leaders as well as a few notable political figures. Among the most talked-about inclusions are Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and former Speaker U.T. Khader. Their induction signals the party’s intent to combine experience with a new generation of leadership.

However, the absence of former minister Zameer Ahmad Khan from the initial list has attracted considerable attention. Regarded as a close confidant of Siddaramaiah and a prominent Muslim leader within the Congress, his exclusion is being viewed as a significant setback. Political observers have linked the decision to recent controversies surrounding an alleged audio clip connected to anti-party activities.

The ministers taking oath alongside Shivakumar represent a broad cross-section of Karnataka’s social and regional landscape. They include veteran Congress leader K.H. Muniyappa, former ministers K.J. George, M.B. Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, Satish Jarkiholi, Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, Eshwar Khandre, Byrathi Suresh, and Sharan Prakash Patil, among others.

K.H. Muniyappa, a seven-time Member of Parliament and former Union minister, is among the most senior leaders in the state Congress. Representing Devanahalli, he enjoys strong support among Dalit communities and is known for his long-standing loyalty to the party.

K.J. George, a six-time MLA from Sarvagnanagar in Bengaluru, remains one of the Congress high command’s trusted leaders. M.B. Patil, a prominent Lingayat leader from Vijayapura district and a five-time MLA, is expected to play an important role in governance owing to his administrative experience and influence within the party.

Ramalinga Reddy, an eight-time legislator from BTM Layout, is widely respected across factional lines and is known for his grassroots connect. Satish Jarkiholi, another influential Dalit leader from North Karnataka, has built a strong political base in Belagavi district and has emerged as a significant voice within the party.

Krishna Byre Gowda, representing the Vokkaliga community, is regarded as one of the Congress’ most articulate and reform-oriented leaders. His administrative experience and appeal among younger voters have strengthened his standing within the party.

Priyank Kharge, son of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, also finds a place in the cabinet. A three-time MLA from Chittapur, he has become one of the party’s most vocal leaders and a key strategist in Karnataka politics.

Senior Lingayat leader Eshwar Khandre, Hebbal MLA Byrathi Suresh, and experienced legislator Sharan Prakash Patil further reinforce the cabinet’s mix of regional representation and political experience.

The first cabinet formation is being viewed as a carefully balanced exercise aimed at accommodating key communities, rewarding loyalists, and ensuring administrative stability. Further expansion of the ministry is expected in the coming weeks as the Shivakumar government settles into office.

With the new administration taking charge, expectations are high that the Congress government will focus on governance, development, welfare programmes, and fulfilling the promises made during the Assembly election campaign. The composition of the first cabinet suggests an attempt to strike a balance between continuity, inclusiveness, and generational change as Karnataka enters a new political phase under D.K. Shivakumar’s leadership.