Karnataka’s New Power Equation: DK Shivakumar to Take Oath June 3, Siddaramaiah’s Son Among Key Contenders for Cabinet Berth

After months of speculation and intense political negotiations, Karnataka is poised for a leadership transition on June 3, when DK Shivakumar is set to be sworn in as the state’s next chief minister.

The development follows Shivakumar’s unanimous election as leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) on Saturday, formally clearing the path for him to take over from Siddaramaiah, who resigned on May 28 in line with the Congress high command’s decision. Siddaramaiah exits as Karnataka’s longest-serving chief minister.

Soon after his election, Shivakumar met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and staked claim to form the new government, triggering discussions over the composition of his cabinet and the balance of power within the ruling Congress.

Siddaramaiah’s Son Emerges as Cabinet Aspirant

Among the most closely watched developments is the possibility of a ministerial berth for Siddaramaiah’s son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah.

Reports indicate that Siddaramaiah had sought a significant role for his son as part of broader internal discussions ahead of the leadership transition. Yathindra publicly declared his interest in joining the cabinet on Saturday, while denying reports that his father directly lobbied for his inclusion during talks with the party leadership in Delhi.

According to Yathindra, several senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have expressed support for his political advancement. Sources suggest that portfolios such as Social Welfare are among the options being considered if he is inducted into the cabinet.

The move is also being viewed in the context of the long-rumoured power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, under which both leaders were expected to serve as chief minister for 2.5 years each during the Congress government’s five-year term.

Two Deputy Chief Ministers Under Consideration

The Congress leadership is also weighing the appointment of two deputy chief ministers to accommodate key social and regional interests.

Leading contenders include M. B. Patil, a prominent Lingayat face, and Priyank Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and a leading Dalit leader.

Senior Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi is also in contention, both for a deputy chief minister’s position and for the post of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, which Shivakumar is expected to vacate after becoming chief minister.

While the idea of appointing up to four deputy chief ministers was reportedly explored earlier, party leaders now appear inclined to limit the number to two amid competing demands from senior leaders.

Other influential names in the race for major cabinet portfolios include G. Parameshwara and Eshwar Khandre.

Congress Yet to Finalise Cabinet Formula

Despite growing speculation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Sunday that the party leadership has not yet received a formal proposal regarding the composition of Shivakumar’s cabinet.

Kharge indicated that decisions on ministers, deputy chief ministers and key organisational appointments would only be finalised after consultations following the June 3 swearing-in ceremony.

He also clarified that the Congress leadership is yet to receive details on the size of the first phase of cabinet expansion. According to Kharge, an initial round of appointments will be completed first, while the remaining positions could be filled in a second phase within weeks.

On the question of a new KPCC chief, Kharge said the party is searching for a suitable successor to Shivakumar, stressing that social and political balance would be a key factor in the final decision.

With Shivakumar preparing to assume office, the focus has now shifted to the cabinet formation process, which is expected to determine how the Congress balances competing ambitions, caste equations and regional representation in its new government.