Bengaluru

Karnataka Chief Minister-designate D K Shivakumar on Wednesday confirmed that 13 ministers will be sworn in along with him when the new government assumes office later in the day.

The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to be held at 4:05 pm at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan, where Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the chief minister and members of his council of ministers.

Responding briefly to questions from reporters about the size of the first batch of ministers, Shivakumar said, “Plus thirteen,” indicating that 13 colleagues would join him in taking the oath.

While the official list of ministers has not yet been released, party sources indicated that senior Congress leader G Parameshwara is likely to be appointed Deputy Chief Minister.

According to sources, those expected to be inducted into the cabinet include Satish Jarkiholi, K H Muniyappa, Priyank Kharge, Krishna Byre Gowda, M B Patil, K J George, Ramalinga Reddy, Sharan Prakash Patil, Eshwar Khandre, Byrathi Suresh, U T Khader and Yathindra Siddaramaiah.

Most of the leaders likely to be sworn in have previously served as ministers in the Siddaramaiah-led government. The notable exceptions are U T Khader, who has been serving as Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, and Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The formation of the new cabinet marks the beginning of the Shivakumar administration following the Congress party's decision to entrust him with the state's top post after an extended round of consultations within the party leadership.

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Further details regarding portfolio allocation are expected to be announced after the swearing-in ceremony.