Karnataka CLP elects DK Shivakumar as leader; CM oath ceremony on June 3

NEW DELHI: The Congress Legislature Party on Saturday elected DK Shivakumar as their new leader during a meeting held at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.The meeting concluded after outgoing Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah stepped down as the Congress Legislature Party leader, paving the way for the election of his successor.According to the Karnataka Congress, Siddaramaiah moved a resolution authorising the party's central leadership to decide the new CLP leader. The resolution was seconded by Dr G Parameshwara and passed unanimously by the legislators.The CLP also expressed its gratitude to Siddaramaiah, recalling his service to the people of Karnataka and his contributions to the Congress party.The meeting was attended by several senior Congress leaders, including KC Venugopal, who oversaw the proceedings as the party formally endorsed Shivakumar's leadership.Briefing the media after the meeting, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said, "Now, he (DK Shivakumar) is going to Raj Bhavan to stake claim as Chief Minister, and he will be sworn in as chief minister on the evening of June 3rd with his team.""Everyone thought this change would be a problem for the Congress Party. Everyone anticipated this. We are a family, a great family. The Congress Legislature Party unanimously acknowledges Siddaramaiah's service as Chief Minister for the last eight years. That resolution was moved by none other than DK Shivakumar. He presented a resolution congratulating him for his excellent service as Chief Minister of Karnataka. This is a proud moment for the Congress Party...In 2028, Congress will return to power in Karnataka with the support of all the leaders," he added.The announcement comes after Siddaramaiah stepped down as Karnataka chief minister on May 28.Although Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot accepted his resignation and dissolved the Council of Ministers, Siddaramaiah has been asked to continue as chief minister until alternative arrangements are made.The developments came after Siddaramaiah travelled to Delhi for a series of meetings with senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge.The outgoing chief minister has declined a Rajya Sabha nomination and conveyed his preference to remain active in Karnataka politics rather than move to a central role.Astrologer Aaradhya, who advises Shivakumar, said that he had recommended that Shivakumar take the oath of office as chief minister on June 3 at 5.15 pm at Lok Bhavan.