BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar is expected to begin his term without moving into the official chief minister’s residence in the state, an unusual arrangement that will see his predecessor staying at the property after leaving office.
Shivakumar, who is scheduled to take oath as chief minister on June 3, is unlikely to move to the Cauvery – the government bungalow traditionally occupied by the state’s chief minister. Instead, Siddaramaiah is expected to continue to reside there after leaving office, according to leaders familiar with discussions about the leadership transition.
Leaders said Shivakumar is likely to continue working from his private residence after taking oath and may later shift to another government residence instead of seeking possession of the ‘Cauvery’.
According to the leaders, the residency issue was settled as part of broader consultations between the two leaders. A senior member of Congress, who requested anonymity, said, “There is complete clarity between the two leaders on this issue. There is no dispute regarding the settlement and it was settled amicably.”
While discussions about the formation of the new government dominated political attention, the issue of official residences was also addressed during the transition.
The Cauvery served as an official residence and political nerve center during Siddaramaiah’s tenure. The outgoing prime minister is expected to continue living there for the remainder of his term despite stepping down from the post he has held since 2023, informed leaders said.
Although this arrangement attracted attention, it was not without precedent. Siddaramaiah himself continued to reside in the Cauvery after leaving office in 2018. Former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa also stayed in the house after stepping down in 2021.
Shivakumar is scheduled to take oath at Lokabhavan in Bengaluru at 4.05 pm on Wednesday. Security and traffic arrangements have been intensified around the legislature complex ahead of the ceremony, which is expected to attract senior leaders, elected representatives and party workers from across the state.
