No garlands, please: DK Shivakumar cites allergy ahead of Karnataka CM swearing-in

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister-elect D K Shivakumar on Sunday appealed to party supporters to avoid crowding around him during celebrations and requested that they refrain from presenting him with flower garlands, citing an allergy.

Ahead of his swearing-in ceremony scheduled for June 3 at Lok Bhavan, Shivakumar urged Congress workers to exercise restraint despite the excitement surrounding his elevation to the state's top post.

Speaking to reporters, he acknowledged the enthusiasm among party cadres but said arrangements for the event would remain limited and appealed for cooperation from supporters.

“I understand your enthusiasm, but I have to keep things limited. Even if you come and watch from outside, I do not mind,” he said.

Shivakumar made a special request that no one honour him with flower garlands, explaining that they trigger an allergic reaction.

“Please, no one should put flower garlands on me. I have an allergy and will not accept them. I have banned flower garlands,” he said.

Responding to reports of celebrations taking place across Karnataka, Shivakumar said party workers had every reason to rejoice at the development.

“Let them celebrate. It is not just me who is becoming Chief Minister today, but a party worker. A worker of the party is becoming the Chief Minister,” he said.

Reflecting on his political journey, Shivakumar recalled joining the Congress as a student leader in 1979-80 and rising through the ranks over several decades.

He said his appointment as Chief Minister represented the aspirations of ordinary party workers and demonstrated that dedication and grassroots involvement could lead to the highest offices in public life.