Bengaluru, May 31: Karnataka Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday said the Congress high command would take a final call on whether ministers would be sworn in alongside him during the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for June 3.
Addressing reporters after inspecting the site proposed for the construction of the new Congress Bhavan near Race Course Road, Shivakumar said decisions regarding the composition of the new government would be made by the party leadership.
“I do not know about that. The party high command will take a decision. I do not wish to comment on the matter,” Shivakumar said when asked whether ministers would take oath along with him.
The Chief Minister-designate also announced plans to hold the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the new Congress Bhavan shortly after the swearing-in ceremony. He said the party was considering conducting the bhoomi puja for the office complex on June 3 itself.
Shivakumar noted that the availability of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi for the event was yet to be confirmed. He added that invitations would be extended to district and block Congress presidents, MLAs, former legislators, Members of Parliament, office-bearers of party frontal organisations, and chairpersons of various corporations and boards.
The event, however, will not be open to the general public due to space limitations at the venue.
“Our party workers should excuse us. Due to space constraints, only invited guests can be accommodated,” he said.
Shivakumar further stated that arrangements would be made for Congress leaders and office-bearers to watch the swearing-in ceremony on LED screens at the party office, as it would not be possible to invite all workers and leaders to the venue.
“We should at least provide this opportunity to the leaders who worked and struggled for us,” he said.
On the proposed construction of party offices across Karnataka, Shivakumar said plans to lay foundation stones for 100 Congress offices would be taken up in phases in the coming days.
Explaining the choice of venue for the swearing-in ceremony, Shivakumar said the event would be held at Lok Bhavan instead of the iconic steps of Vidhana Soudha to minimise inconvenience to Bengaluru residents and avoid traffic congestion.
“Since the event is being conducted in a simple manner, it will not be possible to accommodate a large crowd. Our party workers should excuse us,” he added.
Preparations for both the swearing-in ceremony and the Congress Bhavan foundation-laying programme are being coordinated under the leadership of senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy.
