The state government has decided to observe a half-day holiday at various government offices in Bengaluru today, June 3, ahead of the swearing-in of Bengaluru’s Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar. The order is applicable to officials and staff members of Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha, Multi-Storeyed Building complex.
The oath-taking ceremony will be held at 4.05 PM in the Karnataka Legislature premises, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) said in a notification. It is anticipated that thousands of people, including top politicians, elected representatives, government officials, party members and the general public, will attend the event.
The half day closure has been ordered to allow for detailed security and crowd control measures and traffic management in and around the Vidhana Soudha area, authorities said. With preparations for the ceremony in full swing, officials expect a huge influx of vehicles and crowds in the city centre.
The order, issued by the Governor of Karnataka, is geared towards ensuring the smooth running of the high-profile event and a reduction in disruption to administrative activities and public movement.
In other development, Shivakumar has been meeting with the senior Congress leaders in New Delhi including Mallikarjun Kharge in his discussions on forming new state cabinet. Talks are said to be under way for ministerial appointments, key portfolios and selection of a Congress party Deputy Chief Minister and restructuring in the state wing of the party.
It is an important political shift and the swearing-in ceremony is expected to shape the agenda and governance of the new government in Karnataka in the coming years.