HD Kumaraswamy to take oath as CM of Karnataka on Wednesday; Mamata Banerjee, Gandhi family invited

JD-S leader HD Kumaraswamy is set to take oath as the new chief minister of Karnataka on Wednesday.

Kumaraswamy was scheduled to take oath on Monday but Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary was falling on the same day, therefore, the JD-S leader decided to change the plan.

"We are going to take oath on Wednesday as Monday is Rajiv Gandhi's death anniversary & so that is not a proper date," Kumaraswamy said.

Earlier, Kumaraswamy met Karnataka governor Vajubhai Vala and staked claim to form the government after BS Yeddyurappa resigned as the CM just before the floor test.

"West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu & Telangana CM KC Rao congratulated me. Mayawati ji has also blessed me. I have invited all regional leaders for oath ceremony. I've also invited Sonia Gandhi ji & Rahul Gandhi ji personally", added Kumaraswamy.

The Congress has extended strong support to JD-S taking their combined strength to 117 in the Karnataka Assembly.

Earlier on Saturday, BJP’s BS Yeddyurappa resigned as chief minister of Karnataka ahead of the trust vote stating that he does not have the majority.

The Supreme Court had asked the BJP government to give the floor test on Saturday, cutting short the 15-day window provided by the Karnataka governor earlier.