Speaking to reporters, Ashoka stated, “The bus is already in the garage. Only the driver is changed, that’s all. Siddaramaiah is leaving and DK Shivakumar is coming. The bus remains the same, there’s no change in the bus. But it’s just a change of driver.” He alleged that Siddaramaiah had increased the state’s debt by Rs 7.64 lakh crore and highlighted that his three consecutive budgets had been deficit budgets, leaving the financial situation in the state severely deteriorated with insufficient funds for salaries and contractor payments.

Criticising the lack of development during Siddaramaiah’s tenure, Ashoka said, “This is Siddaramaiah’s gift. Let’s see how D.K. Shivakumar handles this… There is no development; no irrigation project has been undertaken in the last three years. No new roads, no school buildings, no hospitals. Hospitals lack medicine.” He predicted that the people of Karnataka would remove Congress from power in the 2028 Assembly elections, adding, “Even if DK Shivakumar comes, he can only acquire power. However, the people of Karnataka are struggling significantly. In 2028, the people of Karnataka will remove the Congress from power.”

DK Shivakumar, who served as Deputy Chief Minister for three years, is scheduled to be sworn in as Chief Minister on June 3 at Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru. He arrived in the national capital earlier on June 1 to meet the Congress high command ahead of the ceremony.

Upon his arrival, Shivakumar conveyed his good wishes to the people of Karnataka, stating, “My good wishes to Karnataka. The people of Karnataka had been waiting for a long time.”

Shivakumar and caretaker Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are due to meet with the Congress high command on Monday in New Delhi to discuss cabinet formation and political developments in the state. Speculation surrounds the possible inclusion of Siddaramaiah’s son, Yathindra, in the new cabinet while some ministers from Siddaramaiah’s previous cabinet may be excluded to make room for new faces.

Sources indicated that Siddaramaiah has proposed forming a coordination committee in Karnataka, a suggestion that has yet to receive approval from the high command. Discussions will also cover appointments for Deputy Chief Minister(s).

Additionally, a senior Congress official informed ANI that the party is considering an OBC candidate for the post of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president. With DK Shivakumar set to become Chief Minister, the party plans to appoint a leader capable of ensuring effective organisation within the government and delivering results in the forthcoming assembly and 2029 Lok Sabha elections.