Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar receiving blessings from JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda ahead of the former's oath-taking ceremony, in Bengaluru on Wednesday (June 3).
| Photo Credit: ANI
The day began with a series of symbolic political gestures for the newly sworn-in Chief MInister D.K. Shivakumar. It came across as much personal as political. The first few hours of his morning were spent making telephone calls to the shortlisted MLAs who were to be sworn in with him.Before leaving for the venue, he sought the blessings of his mother. Family members played a visible role behind the scenes. His daughter Aishwarya and brother D.K. Suresh personally monitored arrangements and coordinated with organisers as guests began arriving in large numbers.The new Chief Minister chose to take oath in traditional silk attire — a silk panche, jhubba and stole — reflecting Kannada cultural symbolism.Political differences asideSetting aside political differences, Mr. Shivakumar personally called on former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda to invite them to the ceremony.The visit to Mr. Deve Gowda’s residence attracted particular attention given the Congress leader’s long-standing political rivalry with the JD(S) in the Old Mysore region.After meeting Mr. Yediyurappa, Mr. Shivakumar struck a conciliatory note. “They have guided the State, they have worked for the State and they have contributed to the State. All of us have to work together,” he said.Welcoming Congress leadershipThe presence of the Congress high command added to the significance of the occasion. While Mr. Shivakumar called on outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to personally invite him, he drove to the HAL airport to receive Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and accompanied them to the venue.The arrival of the leaders triggered loud cheers from party workers gathered outside the airport and along the route to Lok Bhavan. Mr. Gandhi and AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal greeted Mr. Shivakumar with warm hugs.Earlier in the day, Mr. Shivakumar said Congress leader Sonia Gandhi wished him over the phone. “I have assured her that I will take everyone together,” he told reporters later.Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled States — Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala — were also present at the ceremony, underlining the national significance attached to the event by the party.While supporters gathered near his house from the morning to wish and greet him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy wished Mr. Shivakumar soon after the latter assumed office.A gathering of faithsOne of the striking features of the ceremony was the presence of more than 50 seers and religious leaders representing different faiths and traditions. The gathering included Hindu seers, Muslim ulemas, Christian priests and representatives of other religious communities.Before the ceremony, Mr. Shivakumar greeted many of them personally with flowers and garlands and sought their blessings. He also took the blessings of former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna’s wife, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy and his wife Sudha Murthy. Published - June 03, 2026 08:09 pm IST
