Karnataka politics Live: BK Hariprasad appointed as new Karnataka Congress chief

The chief minister said the Cabinet had discussed a series of programmes that had been under preparation for the past six months and would be implemented in phases.

Among the decisions discussed was the allocation of Rs 2,000 crore for road infrastructure projects in Bengaluru under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). Shivakumar stressed that decisions of his government would be collective in nature and not those of a single individual.

D K Shivakumar announced that the government has decided to provide free bus passes to all students, including those in schools and colleges. Students will be required to submit applications to avail the facility.

The chief minister also said the government would soon release a recruitment calendar as part of its promise to provide 56,000 jobs. Calling Karnataka the human resources capital of the country, Shivakumar said employment generation would be a major focus of his administration.

Addressing his first press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the Congress high command had put an end to months of political speculation surrounding the leadership change in Karnataka.

Shivakumar said he had always maintained that "the time should come for all good things" and noted that the transition was completed smoothly after discussions with the party leadership. He also praised Siddaramaiah for honouring his commitment to step down when directed by the high command.

Beyond political management, Shivakumar faces significant administrative and financial challenges. The government has earmarked over Rs 51,000 crore for its guarantee schemes, even as concerns grow over rising expenditure and fiscal pressures.

The chief minister will also be under scrutiny over Bengaluru's infrastructure issues, stalled development projects, irrigation disputes and local body elections. At the same time, he must prepare the Congress organisation for the 2028 Assembly elections while navigating ongoing legal and investigative cases that continue to cast a political shadow over his tenure.

Having assumed office as Karnataka Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar's immediate challenge will be completing Cabinet expansion while balancing regional, caste and political considerations within the Congress.

With only 13 ministers inducted in the first phase and several aspirants still waiting, Shivakumar will have to accommodate different power centres, including supporters of former chief minister Siddaramaiah. Maintaining the Congress' AHINDA support base of minorities, backward classes and Dalits is expected to be a key political test.

Senior Congress leader BK Hariprasad has been appointed as the new president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), marking a key organisational change alongside the transition in the state government.

The appointment comes as DK Shivakumar assumes office as Karnataka Chief Minister, triggering a broader reshuffle within the party's state leadership structure. Hariprasad is expected to play a crucial role in coordinating the organisation and strengthening the Congress ahead of upcoming political challenges.

Newly sworn-in Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on Wednesday as he arrived at Vidhana Soudha for the first time after assuming office as the Chief Minister of the state. Shivakumar offered respects at Gandhi’s statue before entering the state secretariat, marking the beginning of his tenure as Karnataka's new chief minister.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and Tamil Nadu CM Vijay on Wednesday congratulated DK Shivakumar on assuming office as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka. In a post, Vijay said he conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to Shivakumar and wished him success in his new role. “I convey my heartfelt congratulations to Thiru DK Shivakumar on assuming office as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka,” Vijay said.

As DK Shivakumar took oath as Karnataka Chief Minister, his wife Usha expressed happiness and confidence in his leadership, saying he would work in the best interests of the people of Karnataka.

Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony, Usha said Shivakumar would carry out the plans he has envisioned for the state and strive to deliver on his commitments. She voiced hope that the new chief minister would undertake initiatives aimed at benefiting people across Karnataka.

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar paid floral tribute to Kempe Gowda as he arrived at Vidhana Soudha for the first time after being sworn in as the state's chief minister.

The tribute marked one of Shivakumar's first official gestures after assuming office. Kempe Gowda, revered as the founder of Bengaluru, holds a significant place in Karnataka's history, and the homage underscored the symbolic importance of the occasion as the new chief minister began his tenur

Eshwar Khandre, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Byrathi Suresh and Dr Sharan Prakash Patil took oath as ministers in the D K Shivakumar-led Karnataka government during the swearing-in ceremony at Lok Bhavan.

Their induction expands the new Cabinet as the Congress leadership balances experience and new-generation representation. Yathindra Siddaramaiah’s inclusion is particularly notable, marking his entry into the state ministry.

Before being sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar took the blessings of Veera Gangadhara Ajjayya at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru.

The gesture came moments before the oath-taking ceremony and underscored the significance of the spiritual leader in Shivakumar’s life. Earlier, Shivakumar also invoked Gangadhara Ajja while taking the oath of office, making the spiritual connection a notable aspect of the swearing-in ceremony.

Sources indicate that the DK Shivakumar-led government is likely to allocate several key departments to senior ministers and new entrants as portfolio discussions near completion.

According to information available, KH Muniyappa's son-in-law Krishna Byre Gowda may be entrusted with Bengaluru Development, excluding BMRDA, while Ramalinga Reddy is likely to get the Water Resources portfolio. UT Khader is expected to be assigned Health, MB Patil may take charge of Industries, and Sharan Prakash Patil is likely to handle Medical Education.

Krishna Byre Gowda is likely to be allocated the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The department plays a key role in implementing rural welfare programmes, local governance initiatives and infrastructure projects across Karnataka. An official announcement on the final portfolio allocation is still awaited.

As the DK Shivakumar government takes shape, sources indicate that several key portfolios are likely to be assigned to senior Congress leaders in the new Cabinet.

Priyank Kharge is expected to be entrusted with the Home Department, while Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara is likely to take charge of the Revenue Department. K Ramalinga Reddy is expected to oversee Bengaluru Development, a crucial portfolio given the city's infrastructure and governance challenges.

Meanwhile, Yathindra Siddaramaiah is expected to be entrusted with Urban Development. An official announcement on portfolio allocation is awaited, and the final distribution could be subject to changes before formal notification.

Senior Congress leader KH Muniyappa took oath as a Cabinet Minister in the new Karnataka government during the swearing-in ceremony at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru.

Muniyappa took the oath in the name of God as he joined the DK Shivakumar-led Council of Ministers. His induction is part of the first batch of ministers being sworn in alongside the new chief minister and other senior leaders of the Congress.

Senior Congress leader G Parameshwara took oath as Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister during the swearing-in ceremony of the new state government at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru.

Parameshwara took the oath in the name of Dr BR Ambedkar, invoking the architect of the Indian Constitution as he assumed office. His induction into the new Cabinet marks a key appointment in the D K Shivakumar-led government.