‘Humbled’: DK Shivakumar’s first reaction after being elected CLP leader, stakes claim to form Karnataka govt

NEW DELHI: In his first reaction after being unanimously elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), Karnataka CM-designate DK Shivakumar on Saturday said he was “humbled” and formally staked claim to form the government in the state.In a post on X, Shivakumar wrote, “Humbled to be unanimously elected as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party at the CLP meeting held in Vidhana Soudha today. Along with Shri Siddaramaiah and other leaders, I met the governor and formally submitted our claim to form the government in Karnataka. We remain committed to serving the people of the state with dedication, integrity and purpose.”Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar met governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at Raj Bhavan on Saturday after being elected CLP leader at a meeting held in Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, formally paving the way for him to become Karnataka’s next chief minister.Outgoing chief minister Siddaramaiah proposed Shivakumar’s name for the post, while senior leader G Parameshwara seconded the proposal, which was unanimously endorsed by party legislators.The CLP meeting was overseen by Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala. After the meeting, Venugopal said Shivakumar would proceed to Raj Bhavan to stake claim and would be sworn in as chief minister on June 3.The CLP also passed a resolution appreciating Siddaramaiah’s tenure as chief minister, with Shivakumar moving the motion. Siddaramaiah resigned on May 28, after which Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accepted his resignation and dissolved the Council of Ministers, asking him to continue in office until alternative arrangements were made.Addressing a press conference earlier in the day, Karnataka Congress working president G C Chandrashekhar said Shivakumar, who served as deputy chief minister in the outgoing government, is set to take oath as chief minister on June 3 at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru.He said the swearing-in ceremony would be held on June 3, with the timing to be announced later, and added that Shivakumar would undertake a statewide tour after assuming office.