Bengaluru, 13 August

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday bowed respectfully to the threshold of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and then towards the CM’s chair, as he entered the House at Vidhana Soudha here for the first time after assuming office.

The monsoon session of the Karnataka Legislature began at Vidhana Soudha here, and this is the first legislature session for Shivakumar since becoming the CM.

"With the blessings of crores of Kannadigas, bowing to the ideals of democracy, I take my first step into the House as Chief Minister," Shivakumar posted on X, sharing a picture.

Shivakumar walked up to the opposition benches and greeted the Leader of Opposition in the House R Ashoka and Deputy Leader of Opposition Arvind Bellad in the beginning of the day's proceedings.

Shivakumar was sworn-in as the chief minister along with 13 ministers on June 3, following Siddaramaiah's resignation as CM on May 28.

He expanded his Cabinet on August 3, by inducting 19 ministers, bringing the total strength to 33. One berth remains vacant.

The monsoon session of the Karnataka legislature is expected to be stormy with the opposition likely to corner the Congress government on a host of issues, including drought management and the resignation of minister B Nagendra, who is facing corruption charges.

According to sources, the raging issue of Cauvery water release to Tamil Nadu, the acquisition of farmers' land for the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project near Bidadi in Bengaluru South district, and the demand for Nagendra's resignation are likely to disrupt House proceedings.

The 10-day session, concluding August 27 at Vidhana Soudha will also see the election of a new Speaker and Deputy Speaker for the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, and a Chairman and Deputy Chairman for the Legislative Council. The elections for Speaker and Chairman are slated for August 14.

On Thursday, the House paid tributes to D Sudhakar, a member of the current Assembly and a Minister, who passed away recently, during the obituary reference.

The House also paid tributes to several former members of the House, former Ministers and dignitaries, including veteran singer S Janaki, who passed away recently, during the obituary.