Kolkata : A political journey marked by persistence, setbacks and a prolonged tussle for the top post is set to culminate today when Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar takes oath as the state’s Chief Minister. The 64-year-old Congress leader, will be sworn in at 4:05 pm at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan, where Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot will administer the oath of office and secrecy.
Shivakumar was elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party last week, days after outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stepped down following directions from the party high command. For the eight-time MLA and influential Vokkaliga leader, today’s ceremony will mark the fulfilment of a long-held ambition after years of positioning himself as one of the Congress party’s most powerful leaders in southern India. His elevation comes after a prolonged power struggle with Siddaramaiah, whose resignation paved the way for a leadership transition that had been anticipated for months.
On the eve of taking oath, Shivakumar spoke about his journey to the top office and described his elevation as the result of dedication and perseverance rather than a personal ambition. “It was not a dream. It was a dedication. Dedication with hard work. So it was a tough, troubling time. Though it has been delayed, it was not denied,” he said in an interview. The Congress leader also spoke about his long association with the Nehru-Gandhi family and credited the party leadership for placing faith in him over the years.
Praising Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, he said, Sonia Gandhi sacrificed; she could have become the Prime Minister. Rahul Gandhi could have become the Prime Minister, but they did not. Looking ahead to his tenure, Shivakumar promised to work for all sections of society and projected Karnataka as a key driver of India’s growth story. “I will have to take every section of society together, from the farmer to the woman, to the youth and a new ‘Yuva Yuga’ will start.”
While Congress has not officially announced the names of ministers, sources said 13 leaders have been cleared for induction in the first phase of cabinet formation. The likely ministers are Yathindra, G Parameshwara, KH Muniyappa, UT Khader, KJ George, Krishna Byre Gowda, MB Patil, Priyank Kharge, Satish Jarkiholi, Ramalinga Reddy, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Byrati Suresh and Eshwar Khandre. Among them, Yathindra’s inclusion has drawn particular attention.
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