"Historic day": Congress leaders ahead of oath-taking ceremony of DK Shivakumar

The swearing-in ceremony of Shivakumar as Chief Minister is scheduled to take place at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru on June 3 at 4 pm.

State Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar told ANI, "The leadership is changing as the High Command has taken a decision. Tomorrow, CM and some ministers are going to take the oath... In the morning, they will release a list, but I am very happy that those who are getting the ministry and I would like to congratulate them..."

Congress MLA Sharan Prakash Patil told reporters that the oath-taking was a "historic day"

"It is a historic day because DK Shivakumar is taking oath and the new government is definitely going to do well. There will be aspirants for the cabinet because the cabinet is being reconstituted. So naturally there will be many aspirants, nothing wrong in that... Maybe 14 people will take the oath tomorrow along with the chief minister."

Congress leader Alka Lamba told reporters, "It is a momentous day for all of us in the Congress party. I am delighted that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been appointed as a member of the Congress Working Committee... and former Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will assume the office of Chief Minister, marking the new beginning..."

"Tomorrow, D.K. Shivakumar will take oath as the Chief Minister of the state. The entire Congress team will work along with him for the development of the state," he told ANI.

Congress leader BK Hariprasad said, "I wish him all the best. Rahul Gandhi and party President Mallikarjun Kharge will be here," he said.

Congress leader K.H. Muniyappa told reporters "... With DK Shivakumar, 10 to 15 people are taking the oath... Seems to be I am among them"

Congress and Indian Youth Congress workers offered prayers at the Ganesh temple in Jayanagar area ahead of the oath ceremony of Karnataka's new Cabinet.

Speaking with ANI, Youth Congress President, Bengaluru South District, Mounish Reddy, said, "We are all here at Jainagar. We are getting a new Chief Minister for Karnataka tomorrow, our KPCC President, DK Shivakumar. We are expecting Ramalinga Reddy to get another portfolio. We are all expecting him to become the deputy CM," he stated.

Congress will release the list of ministers for the Karnataka cabinet on Wednesday ahead of the swearing-in ceremony,

Addressing a press conference near his Sadashivanagar residence, Shivakumar dismissed the reports suggesting the names of members allegedly selected for ministerial berths.

"The names appearing in the media regarding the selection of ministers are not official. The high command leaders will release the list of ministers tomorrow at 10 am or noon," he said.

He further said that the decision lies with the party high command and the final list, after being recieved from Delhi, will be sent to Raj Bhavan in Karnataka.

"The high command leaders discussed the selection of ministers and we have expressed our opinion. The high command leaders will take the final decision. After the Delhi leaders send us the list, we will send it to Raj Bhavan," he added.

The CM-designate also stated that the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Congress Bhavan will be held on another day. He said that he will be meeting the block, district presidents, office bearers and guarantee committee members at the Bharat Jodo Bhavan, following the oath ceremony and cabinet meeting.

"We have decided to hold the Congress Bhavan foundation stone laying ceremony, which was supposed to be held tomorrow evening, on another day. Block, district presidents, office bearers and guarantee committee members who have received invitations should arrive at Bharat Jodo Bhavan, the Congress office. I will hold a cabinet meeting, bid farewell to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge and then meet them at Bharat Jodo Bhavan," Shivakumar informed. (ANI)