D.K. Shivakumar Stakes Claim to Form Karnataka Government, Swearing-In Scheduled for June 3

Bengaluru, May 2026 : Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday formally staked claim to form the next government in Karnataka after being unanimously elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), setting the stage for a leadership transition in the state.

Shivakumar met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at Raj Bhavan and submitted a formal letter informing him of his unanimous election as CLP leader. Acting on the request, the Governor invited him to form the government and take oath as Chief Minister along with his Council of Ministers on June 3.

The development marks the official beginning of the process for the formation of a new Congress government under Shivakumar’s leadership, following the party’s decision to entrust him with the state’s top post.

In his communication to the Governor, Shivakumar stated that the Congress Legislature Party had unanimously chosen him as its leader during a meeting held earlier in the day.

“The Congress Legislature Party of Karnataka, comprising 135 members of the Indian National Congress, along with two associate members and one MLA from the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, unanimously elected me as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party on May 30, 2026,” Shivakumar said in his letter.

He also sought formal approval for the swearing-in ceremony and requested that the oath-taking function be held on June 3 in Bengaluru.

Responding to the request, Governor Gehlot issued an official invitation to Shivakumar to form the government. In his reply, the Governor acknowledged receipt of the claim and authorised the swearing-in ceremony.

“I hereby invite you to take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka along with the members of your Council of Ministers,” the Governor stated.

The Raj Bhavan subsequently confirmed that the oath-taking ceremony would take place at 4.05 p.m. on June 3, marking the beginning of Shivakumar’s tenure as Chief Minister.

Shivakumar was accompanied to Raj Bhavan by outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and several senior Congress leaders, reflecting a show of unity during the leadership transition.

Earlier in the day, the Congress Legislature Party met at Vidhana Soudha and unanimously elected Shivakumar as its leader. The decision followed consultations among senior party leaders and legislators and received the backing of the Congress high command.

A key strategist and organisational leader within the Congress, Shivakumar has played a significant role in strengthening the party in Karnataka over the years. His elevation to the Chief Minister’s post comes after months of political discussions within the party regarding succession and leadership.

With the Governor’s approval now in place, attention is expected to shift to the composition of the new Cabinet and the policy priorities of the incoming government. The June 3 swearing-in ceremony will formally usher in a new chapter in Karnataka politics under Shivakumar’s leadership.