BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar has decided to keep his swearing-in ceremony on June 3 a low-key affair after police raised concerns about severe traffic disruption in Bengaluru due to the expected influx of Congress supporters from across the state.
Shivakumar, who is scheduled to take oath at 4.05pm on Wednesday at Lok Bhavan, said the decision was taken after consultations with party leaders and police officials to minimise inconvenience to the public.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, he said more than 17,000 vehicles had already been booked to transport Congress workers and supporters to Bengaluru for the event.
“Since it is a working day, we do not want chaos in Bengaluru city. Police officers expressed concern over traffic congestion and public inconvenience,” Shivakumar said.
He added that the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) had informed party leaders that attendance at the ceremony would be restricted to key dignitaries and invited guests.
“We have decided to have a low-key swearing-in function at Lok Bhavan to avoid chaos in Bengaluru. We also have to consider the convenience of common people,” he said.
To ensure party workers can still witness the event, the ceremony will be broadcast live at the KPCC headquarters. Shivakumar said it would not be possible to accommodate all supporters at the venue.
Asked whether members of the new Council of Ministers would take oath alongside him, Shivakumar said the matter would be decided by the Congress leadership.
The development follows the Congress Legislature Party’s unanimous election of Shivakumar as its leader. Former chief minister Siddaramaiah formally handed over leadership after stepping down on May 28.
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the party would continue to benefit from Siddaramaiah’s experience and guidance in Karnataka and national politics.
Following his election, Shivakumar met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and formally staked claim to form the new government in Karnataka.
