Congress MLA Ashok M Pattan stated on Monday that the swearing-in ceremony for Karnataka's new Congress-led government under Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar is set for Wednesday at 4:00 PM. He indicated that the cabinet formation would occur in two stages.
“I think that tonight there will also be a meeting, and tomorrow, I think that there will be a meeting to take ministries in Karnataka. Swearing-in ceremony will be on Wednesday at 4:00. I am also sincerely trying, but I think there are two instalments, and I think as per my information, in the first instalment, 10 members’ swearing-in ceremony will be there,” Pattan said.
He added, “Other, left other people will be announced next month, first week, because of the assembly council election, the Rajya Sabha election is there. I think after that they will make a full-fledged ministry.”
Regarding his own inclusion, Pattan said, “I am expecting the first list itself because I am a very senior man. If the first list is not there, I think I may expect the second list.”
Asked about the coordination committee, he clarified, “No, no, I don’t know about the coordination committee. The high command will decide on the coordination committee or all other screening committees. High command will decide; we cannot decide anything. They will not ask our opinion, also because that is a purely high command decision.”
On speculation about Siddaramaiah’s son joining the cabinet, he commented, “As per my knowledge, he will be there.”
Earlier on Monday, Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar addressed reporters in Bengaluru, stating that the Congress government will introduce a new form of education incorporating artificial intelligence (AI).
He said, “I love education very much. The academic year starts today. Karnataka state students have contributed to the nation. Our students are studying in universities all over the world. Its basic education is in Karnataka. They are looking at India through Karnataka.”
Shivakumar added, “Now we are going to a new era. This is the era of artificial intelligence; we are going to go through artificial intelligence in the future. It will be our policy. We will give a new form to education in the future. Therefore, I congratulate the current government and the future government.”
Meanwhile, Shivakumar and outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will meet the Congress high command in New Delhi on Monday to discuss cabinet berths ahead of the swearing-in on June 3. Both leaders will travel together from Bengaluru to Delhi for the meeting.
Additionally, Siddaramaiah’s son and Member of Legislative Council Yateendra will also attend the meeting amid speculation about his potential inclusion in the new cabinet.