Swearing-in to be show of opposition unity

BENGALURU: JD(S) state chief HD Kumaraswamy is set to take oath as the 24th chief minister of Karnataka on Wednesday. Kumaraswamy had initially announced May 21 as the date for swearing-in but party sources later said it has been deferred as Monday happens to be the death anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi.

Kumaraswamy said he would take oath in Kanteerava Stadium, in the presence of chief ministers from non-BJP ruled states. Speaking to the media after meeting governor Vajubhai Vala, he said: "On suggestion from AICC president Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, we will be extending invitations to Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, BSP chief Mayawati, Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu."

The swearing-in ceremony is likely to become a watershed moment for anti-BJP forces, signalling marshalling of resources by opposition parties for the 2019 parliamentary elections. Talks of a "mahagatbandhan" have begun, with Congress and JD(S) cosying up during the past 24 hours in Hyderabad under the aegis of the TRS government.