Kumaraswamy sworn in as Karnataka CM amid show of opposition unity

Kumaraswamy swearing-in Opposition leaders with new Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy | Bhanu Prakash Chandra

More than a week after the Congress made a 'surprise' offer of support to the JD(S), H.D. Kumaraswamy was sworn in as chief minister of Karnataka on Wednesday evening. G. Parameshwara of the Congress will be the deputy CM.

In addition to the symbolism of the surprise JD(S)-Congress alliance, the drama caused by Governor Vajubhai Vala inviting B.S. Yeddyurappa to form a government perhaps cemented opposition unity against the BJP in a manner not seen since Narendra Modi's rise to power in 2014. And thus, the swearing-in of Kumaraswamy appeared to be more of a show of opposition unity than a routine ceremony.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia attended the ceremony in Bengaluru. Other key leaders in attendance included Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in addition to Akhilesh Yadav of the SP, Mayawati of the BSP and Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD.

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao surprisingly gave the swearing-in a miss, with critics claiming it was an attempt at trying to stay clear of the Congress.