'Shubh Muhurat', Rahul Gandhi's Availability: Why DK Shivakumar Picked June 3 For Oath

Karnataka new chief minister DK Shivakumar is set to take oath of office on June 3 at 4:10 pm. Speaking to journalists in Bengaluru on Saturday, Shivakumar confirmed that swearing in ceremony will be held on June 3. A Congress Legislature Party meet is underway where DK Shivakumar will be elected as the leader of the Congress MLAs. 

Sources have also told NDTV that it will be a simple swearing in ceremony for the new DK Shivakumar Cabinet. 

There has been intense speculation on the swearing in ceremony date since the outgoing chief minister Siddaramaiah resigned on Thursday. 

Sources told NDTV that Shivakumar, who is a very religious person, has decided on the June 3 date for swearing in after consulting his astrologer Bellur Dwarakanath. 4:10 pm on June 3 has been decided as the "shubh muhurat" (auspicious time) for the swearing in by the astrologer, sources have told NDTV.  

Another factor behind the June 3 date for swearing in, according to sources, is the availability of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi who is expected to attend the oath ceremony. 

Sources have told NDTV that two deputy chief ministers are also likely to take oath alongwith DK Shivakumar. One deputy chief minister is likely to be from the Dalit community and another from the minority community. 

The Congress is likely to strike a balance between different caste and communities in the new government as also among the factions of the party after the exit of Siddaramaiah. Sources have indicated that Siddaramaiah's son Yathindra Siddaramaiah is likely to get an important portfolio in the new dispensation. 

Last week, after months of power tussle between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, Congress leadership finally too the call in favour of Shivakumar and asked Siddaramaiah to resign. 

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has issued key directives on the contours of the new government under Shivakumar. Sources have told NDTV that Gandhi wants greater representation for Dalits, OBCs and minorities in the new Cabinet. This is key for Rahul Gandhi's social justice plank as the Congress has been forced to remove its only OBC chief minister in Siddaramaiah in the wake of sustained demand for change from the DK Shivakumar camp.

Sources further added that Rahul Gandhi is also keen on inducting younger faces into the Cabinet. This is seen as important to signal a change and attract more youth in the run up to the elections that will be held in 2028.