Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday met over 200 global capability centres (GCC) leaders, corporate heads and senior government officials to discuss the priorities shaping the next phase of Karnataka’s GCC ecosystem.

He had dialogues with them on AI, talent, infrastructure and next phase of growth at KATALYST CONNECT, an event organised by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology and Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM).

The Chief Minister told the GCC community that his government was committed to attracting 500 new GCCs to the State, creating 3.5 lakh high-quality jobs and generating $50 billion in economic output by 2029.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Shivakumar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening Karnataka’s position as India’s leading destination for GCCs.

“Today, GCCs in our State are shaping global products, engineering breakthrough technologies and driving enterprise transformation,’’ he said.

Earlier, speaking at a strategic meet, Minister for Home, Information Technology, Biotechnology and e-Governance Priyank Kharge said: “As GCCs evolve from delivery centres into global hubs for AI, engineering, R&D and product innovation, our focus is on ensuring that Karnataka continues to provide the talent, policy environment and innovation ecosystem required for them to take on larger global mandates.’’

The consultation saw participation from Google, Target, Intel, IBM, Anthropic, Nokia, Bosch, JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, Chevron, Philips, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Takeda, Novo Nordisk, Rolls-Royce, Raytheon, Ford, eBay, Carl Zeiss, Collins Aerospace, Johnson Controls and Maersk to name a few.

Building new Bengalurus: CM

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said his government was committed to build more new Bengalurus in the State.

He also said double FAR (Floor Area Ratio, the ratio of a building’s total constructed floor area to the total plot size) would be allowed in other cities too.

He also said the government was constructing a 123-km Bengaluru Business Corridor spending ₹26,000 crore in the first phase. A small tunnel project was launched near Hebbal and another 40-km tunnel road was also planned and the project would be discussed in the upcoming Cabinet meeting.

“Along with these, we have planned a 44-km double-decker flyover project. We have planned a 133-km flyover project. We are spending ₹1.5 lakh crore on Bengaluru’s development,” he said.

Stating that the government plans on providing all facilities to tier-2 and tier-3 cities as well, he said while office space rent in Bengaluru was between $1 and $1.5, in tier-2 and tier-3 cities space was available for half a dollar.

“We are moving forward to offer double FAR there, thereby enabling the construction of multi-storey buildings in those cities too.’’

Bengaluru is one of India’s most economically important cities, and it’s safe to say that whoever is in charge of the IT city’s development wields considerable power and clout.

What makes Bengaluru Development politically and administratively more significant than other cabinet portfolios? Will its bifurcation improve accountability and decision-making, or lead to coordination challenges? What does this episode reveal about the power dynamics within the Shivakumar-led Congress government?

Read more:

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, on his maiden visit to his Kanakapura Assembly constituency on Sunday after becoming Chief Minister, drew crowds even as he said his doors are open to JD(S) workers.

“Another D.K. Shivakumar cannot be born in BJP or JD(S) in this district. You should believe your conscience if you don’t believe anyone. P.G.R. Sindhia, Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda and U.K. Swamy had contested against me. However, they are with me today. There will not be another Shivakumar,” he said, adding, “D.K. Shivakumar will be there for the JD(S) workers too. My door is open to you as well.”

The Chief Minister also cautioned the electorate about the Special Intensive Revision undertaken by the Election Commission of India.

“If you do not submit applications, you will lose your vote and also lose the benefits of the government scheme,” he stated.

Ahead of his swearing-in ceremony on June 3, he had appealed to his followers not to come to Bengaluru since the event was being held inside Lok Bhavan, as big crowds could inconvenience the public. He had announced that he would visit Kanakapura soon. On Sunday, after taking Namma Metro to reach the periphery of the city, he made his way to the constituency where he addressed people at several places.

Urging people to overcome hatred to bring good to the constituency, he said, “I would like to tell leaders from other parties, let us work together.” Asking people if he should be Chief Minster only for two years, he said: “The legacy that we leave behind will be permanent. Should I be Chief Minister only for two years? With your blessings, we should win the 2028 elections. Let us work together and leave a legacy behind.”

The Chief Minister also promised that employment opportunities in industries will be provided to locals, and appealed to his electorate not to migrate for health, education and housing, all of which, he said, would be available in the constituency.

By the time Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar arrived at Lok Bhavan’s Glass House on Wednesday evening to take oath as Karnataka’s 34th Chief Minister, central Bengaluru had already transformed into a sea of Congress flags, cut-outs, banners and supporters eager to witness a political journey decades in the making reach its defining moment.

Roads leading to Lok Bhavan were choked with traffic from the afternoon as party workers, elected representatives, supporters and invitees streamed towards the venue. At the same time, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Metro Station (Vidhana Soudha) witnessed heavy footfall as supporters flocked to attend the swearing-in ceremony. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials said that they had anticipated the surge at both Vidhana Soudha and Cubbon Park stations and had deployed additional staff, along with police personnel, to manage the crowds.

Major gathering

Though initially described as a simple and austere swearing-in ceremony, the event quickly assumed the proportions of a major political gathering, with the Glass House packed to capacity well before the scheduled time.

Across the city, particularly along major thoroughfares, flexes and banners congratulating Mr. Shivakumar dominated the skyline. Large crowds of supporters, many from his home constituency of Kanakapura and other parts of Bengaluru South, watched the proceedings on giant screens and through live telecasts, treating the occasion as a celebration of one of their own reaching the State’s highest political office.

For Congress workers, the moment represented the culmination of a long political journey for a leader who rose through the ranks from student politics to become one of the party’s most influential figures in Karnataka.

Elaborate security and traffic management arrangements have been put in place for the swearing-in ceremony of the Chief Minister at Lok Bhavan on Wednesday (June 3), with the Bengaluru City Police working in close coordination with the traffic police to ensure smooth conduct of the event and maintain law and order.

City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said that extensive security measures have been implemented in accordance with the protocol issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR).

Limited capacity

Given the limited seating capacity at the venue, entry has been restricted strictly to invited guests. Passes have already been issued to VIPs, VVIPs and other categorised invitees, and security deployment has been planned accordingly. The Commissioner also clarified that there will be no roadshow associated with the swearing-in ceremony.

Senior police officials said additional police platoons and reserve force companies have been deployed across the central parts of the city to ensure comprehensive security coverage. Surveillance arrangements include monitoring through an extensive network of CCTV cameras, LED screens and drones to keep track of crowd movement and any security-related developments in real time.

Traffic advisory

Traffic restrictions and diversions will be enforced on select roads surrounding the venue to facilitate the movement of dignitaries and security convoys. On certain stretches, access will be limited to pedestrians during the event as part of the security protocol.

To help manage crowds and enable public viewing of the ceremony, LED screens have been installed at designated locations. Police personnel familiar with the local area, along with specialised VIP security teams, have been deployed at key points. Senior officers will oversee the arrangements and continuously monitor the situation to ensure the swearing-in ceremony is conducted smoothly, safely and without any untoward incidents.

No-fly zone

Bengaluru City Police have declared a temporary no-fly zone around the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office and Hotel Shangri-La in the city ahead of the visit of Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on June 3.

City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh issued the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), prohibiting the operation of drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), glider aircraft, small aircraft and non-scheduled aircraft within a one-km radius of the two locations.

Mr. Gandhi is scheduled to attend programmes at the KPCC office and stay at Hotel Shangri-La during his visit to Bengaluru. According to the order, the temporary no-fly zone will remain in force during the specified period of the visit. The restriction covers all drone and low-flying aircraft operations within the designated radius around the KPCC office and the hotel.

Speaker U.T. Khader said here on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) that the Congress high command has so far not asked him to join the new Cabinet to be headed by D.K. Shivakumar.

Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Khader said if the party wants him to continue as Speaker he will continue to do so.

“If I am asked to work as minister in the new Cabinet or continue as an MLA, I am happy to do so. I will act as per the directions of Congress high command,” he said.

Speaker may resign

However, people close to Mr. Khader said he is set to tender his resignation to the post of Speaker and join the new cabinet on Wednesday (June 3). Mr. Khader is set leave for Bengaluru from Mangaluru on June 2 evening. Since Monday (June 1), party workers and Mr. Khader’s admirers have been meeting and congratulating him after hearing that he is among the ministers to be sworn-in on June 3.

Asked about controversy surrounding the audio tape purportedly related to minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, over sabotaging the prospects of the Congress candidate in the recently held Assembly bypolls in Davangere, clearing his (Mr. Khader’s) way into the new Cabinet as a representative from the minority community, Mr. Khader said there is no competition between him and Mr. Khan on becoming ministers in the new Cabinet.

Mr. Khader said becoming a minister helps in doing works related to people in a more effective way. As a Speaker, he works more for the legislators. “While working as a Speaker, I have ensured to work for people of my (Mangaluru Assembly) constituency and take up development projects. When in my constituency, people forget that I am in the post of Speaker, which comes with a set of protocols,” he said.