Mysuru: Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar received a grand welcome from Congress leaders and party workers during his first visit to Mysuru after assuming office as the state’s Chief Minister. Hundreds of supporters lined the streets as the Congress organised a colourful procession to mark the occasion ahead of a series of official engagements, including programmes with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The visit is considered politically significant as it marks Shivakumar’s first official tour of Mysuru following the recent change in Karnataka’s leadership.
Congress workers organise grand procession
Leaders and workers of the City and District Congress gathered in large numbers to welcome the Chief Minister upon his arrival in Mysuru.
A grand procession was taken out from Maharana Pratap Singh Circle near Karanji Lake on Lalitha Mahal Road to Kurubarahalli Circle, with party workers accompanying Shivakumar throughout the route.
Supporters greeted the Chief Minister with slogans and a warm reception as the procession moved through the city.
Senior Congress leaders join reception
Several senior Congress leaders participated in the welcome programme.
Among those present were District Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, MLA Tanveer Sait, City Congress President R. Murthy, District Congress President Dr. B. J. Vijaykumar, along with other party leaders and workers.
The reception highlighted the Congress party’s mobilisation in Mysuru following Shivakumar’s elevation as Chief Minister.
Chief Minister to receive Prime Minister Modi
Following the reception, Shivakumar was scheduled to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Oval Grounds, where the Prime Minister’s helicopter was expected to land.
The Chief Minister was also scheduled to accompany the Prime Minister to Viveka Smaraka on N.S. Road, where Modi would inaugurate the newly developed memorial dedicated to Swami Vivekananda.
The memorial has been developed by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre under the Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama at the historic Niranjana Mutt, where Swami Vivekananda stayed during his visit to Mysuru in 1892.
Public meeting also on schedule
Later in the day, the Chief Minister was scheduled to participate in a public meeting organised by the Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama at the Ramakrishna Vidyashala campus.
The programme was expected to begin at around 4.25 pm and would also feature Prime Minister Modi following the inauguration of Viveka Smaraka.
The day’s events combine official engagements with political significance, as Shivakumar begins his tenure as Chief Minister with a high-profile visit alongside the Prime Minister.
First official visit as Chief Minister
Shivakumar’s visit to Mysuru marks his first official tour of the city since assuming the office of Chief Minister after the recent leadership transition in Karnataka.
The enthusiastic reception by Congress workers underscored the party’s support for the new Chief Minister, while his participation in programmes with the Prime Minister reflected the importance of the day’s events for both the state government and Mysuru.