The Congress leadership on Wednesday projected a message of unity and smooth transition in Karnataka as DK Shivakumar took oath as the state's new chief minister. Outgoing chief minister Siddaramaiah shared the stage with the party's top brass during the ceremony.
Swearing-In Ceremony Highlights
The event, attended by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, chief ministers from Congress-ruled states, and other senior party functionaries, ended months of speculation over a leadership change in Karnataka. G Parameshwara was sworn in as deputy chief minister, and 13 legislators, mostly from the previous cabinet, also took oath.
Power-Sharing Arrangement
According to party sources, an informal power-sharing agreement was made after the May 2023 Karnataka assembly elections. Siddaramaiah was to lead initially, while Shivakumar, Karnataka Congress president and a key figure in the electoral victory, would take over midway through the five-year term. Uncertainty arose as Siddaramaiah remained in office beyond two-and-a-half years, prompting consultations with the Congress high command. Last week, the party leadership resolved the impasse by honoring its commitment to Shivakumar.
Siddaramaiah's Role in CWC
To balance the transition, the Congress appointed Siddaramaiah to the Congress Working Committee (CWC), its highest decision-making body. This move came days after he stepped down as chief minister, ending a record tenure of over eight years across two stints. The appointment on the eve of Shivakumar's swearing-in signaled efforts to accommodate both leaders and maintain organizational unity.
The leadership transition elevates Shivakumar to the top post after years as one of the Congress's most influential leaders in Karnataka. The ceremony underscored the party's commitment to unity amid a longstanding rivalry between the two leaders.
