Bengaluru: Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place across Bengaluru ahead of Karnataka Chief Minister-designate D K Shivakumar’s swearing-in ceremony scheduled to be held at Lokabhavan on June 3. City police have deployed extensive security measures to manage the movement of political leaders, dignitaries and thousands of supporters expected to attend the event.
Shivakumar, a senior Congress leader, is set to take oath as Karnataka’s 25th Chief Minister at 4.05 pm, marking a major political transition in the state following the resignation of Siddaramaiah on May 28.
Apart from the Chief Minister-designate, around eight to 10 ministers are expected to take oath in the first phase of Cabinet formation. The remaining ministers are likely to be inducted after the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled later this month.
City divided into security zones
To ensure smooth conduct of the ceremony, Bengaluru Police have divided the security arrangements into two major zones.
Zone 1 comprises the Lokabhavan premises and has been further divided into five sectors for effective monitoring and crowd management. Zone 2 covers the surrounding areas and routes earmarked for the movement of VIPs and VVIPs and has been divided into eight sectors.
Authorities have designated the main entrance of Lokabhavan as a high-security zone for the entry of Governors, ministers, senior political leaders and invited guests.
Security personnel have been instructed to conduct thorough checks at all entry points to prevent unauthorised access to the venue.
Restricted access around oath-taking stage
A dedicated stage has been prepared for the swearing-in ceremony, with access restricted to the Chief Minister-designate, ministers taking oath, Governors and selected dignitaries.
Separate seating arrangements have been made for VVIPs, VIPs, special invitees and media representatives.
Officials have also arranged special enclosures to ensure orderly movement and avoid congestion within the venue.
To accommodate members of the public, a designated area known as Lawn-B has been prepared. Around 1,000 people are expected to be seated there, with large LED screens set up to provide a live broadcast of the ceremony.
High-tea event planned after ceremony
Following the swearing-in programme, a high-tea event will be hosted at the Lokabhavan Banquet Hall for the Chief Minister, members of the Council of Ministers and invited dignitaries.
Additional security arrangements have been made around dining areas, food distribution points and exit gates within the complex.
Officials said the measures are intended to ensure the smooth movement of guests while maintaining security standards throughout the event.
Security tightened for proposed roadshow
One of the major attractions following the oath-taking ceremony is Shivakumar’s proposed open-jeep procession from Lokabhavan to Vidhana Soudha.
The route connecting Lokabhavan, Police Timmayya Circle and Vidhana Soudha has been brought under special security cover.
Police have been instructed to maintain a secure corridor for the procession and prevent unauthorised individuals from approaching the Chief Minister’s convoy.
Traffic movement along the route is expected to be temporarily restricted during the procession to ensure safety and smooth passage.
Multiple barricades and screening checkpoints have been established at strategic locations around Lokabhavan, Ambedkar Veedhi and Vidhana Soudha.
Emergency response teams deployed
As part of the security plan, anti-protest units, anti-stampede teams and reserve police squads have been deployed to respond to any emergency situation.
Senior officers, including Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), CID personnel and Crime Branch officials, will supervise security operations throughout the day.
Police have also coordinated with various departments to ensure crowd control, traffic regulation and emergency medical support if required.
Authorities said all necessary precautions have been taken considering the presence of senior political leaders and the expected turnout of supporters from different parts of Karnataka.
Shivakumar calls for low-key celebrations
Despite the large-scale preparations, Shivakumar has reportedly expressed a preference for a low-key swearing-in ceremony to minimise inconvenience to Bengaluru residents.
Reports indicate that more than 17,000 vehicles had been arranged by Congress workers and supporters from across the state to travel to Bengaluru for the event, raising concerns about traffic congestion.
The Chief Minister-designate has urged party workers to celebrate responsibly and avoid causing disruptions to the public.
Leadership transition in Karnataka
The swearing-in ceremony follows significant political developments within the Congress government.
Siddaramaiah stepped down as Chief Minister on May 28 after consultations with the Congress high command regarding a leadership transition. Subsequently, the Congress Legislature Party unanimously elected Shivakumar as its leader.
Siddaramaiah proposed Shivakumar’s name, while senior Congress leader G Parameshwara seconded the motion during the legislature party meeting.
Following his election, Shivakumar met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and formally staked claim to form the government.
Meanwhile, discussions on the composition of the new Cabinet continue, with senior Congress leaders working to balance regional representation, caste equations and factional interests.
Conclusion
With D K Shivakumar set to assume office as Karnataka’s new Chief Minister, Bengaluru has been placed under extensive security cover to ensure the smooth conduct of the swearing-in ceremony. From multi-layered security arrangements and crowd management plans to preparations for a proposed roadshow, authorities are taking comprehensive measures to manage one of the state’s most significant political events of the year.
