D.K. Shivakumar takes oath in the name of Ajjayya, and with the Constitution in hand

D.K. Shivakumar walked to the dais carrying a copy of the Constitution to be sworn in as the new Chief Minister. He took oath in the name of the late seer Veera Gangadhara Ajjayya, his spiritual mentor, while holding the Constitution. Before taking the oath, he offered floral tributes to the seer and also prostrated before the gathering.

This symbolism drew attention as it seemed to combine reverence for a spiritual figure with an affirmation in the Constitutional values.

Invoking Ambedkar

Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara followed, taking oath in the name of B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Constitution.

Several Ministers invoked different spiritual and ideological traditions while taking the oath. K.H. Muniyappa and K.J. George took oath in the name of God. M.B. Patil invoked Vishwaguru Basavanna, other Sharanas and Siddheshwar Swami.

Soon afterwards, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot was seen reminding Ministers to adhere to the prescribed oath text. However, it is learnt that he was promised by officials that there was no deviation from the norm. Ramalinga Reddy, Satish Jarkiholi, Krishna Byre Gowda, and Priyank Kharge took oath in a sequence, without citing any names.

The sequence was broken by U.T. Khader, who took oath in the name of God, followed by Eshwar Khandre, who invoked both God and Lingaikya Channabasava Pattadevaru.

Yathindra Siddaramaiah chose to take oath in the name of the Constitution, while Byrathi Suresh and Sharan Prakash Patil took oath in the name of God.