NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated DK Shivakumar for taking oath as the chief minister of Karnataka on Wednesday. He assured that the Centre would work closely with the state government for people’s welfare.“Congratulations to Shri DK Shivakumar for taking the oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. Best wishes for his tenure. The Centre will work closely with the Karnataka government for the welfare of the people,” PM Modi said in a post on X.Congress leader DK Shivakumar was sworn in as Karnataka’s 34th chief minister at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan, ushering in a new chapter in the state’s leadership. Senior Congress leader G Parameshwara also took oath as deputy chief minister. Shivakumar took the oath of office holding a copy of the Constitution of India, highlighting the importance of the occasion. The event drew a large gathering of senior Congress leaders, religious figures and dignitaries from across the country. Among those in attendance were Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, signalling the party’s backing for the new government in Karnataka.