HDK sworn in Karnataka CM; trust vote tomorrow

Bengaluru: JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy was on Wednesday sworn-in as Karnataka chief minister at a grand ceremony attended by a galaxy of top leaders and regional satraps in a rare public show of unity.

Kumaraswamy, the third son of JD(S) supremo and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Vajubhai Vala on a huge dais outside the majestic Vidhana Soudha, the seat of power in Karnataka.

Attired in a 'dhoti' and white shirt, 58-year Kumaraswamy took the oath in the name of God and "Kannada Nadu", as hundreds of his supporters cheered loudly.

G Parameshwara, the state Congress chief and the party's Dalit face, was sworn in as Kumaraswamy's deputy.

Kumaraswamy will expand his council of ministers after the trust vote on Friday which he is expected to win without any hiccups. The Congress, which has 78 MLAs, is likely to get 20 ministerial berths and the JD(S) with 37 lawmakers 12.

Though Kumaraswamy has managed to be back at the helm of affairs in Karnataka after a decade, managing the contradictions in the coalition may not be smooth sailing for him after the JD(S) and Congress fought a bitter electoral battle in the state, particularly in the old Mysuru region.

Kumaraswamy had conceded on Tuesday that running the coalition government for the next five years would be a "big challenge" for him.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated H D Kumaraswamy on taking oath as the Karnataka chief minister and extended his best wishes on his new assignment.

"I congratulate Shri @hd_kumaraswamy Ji and @DrParameshwara ji on taking oath as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka. My best wishes for their tenure ahead," he tweeted.