By Our Correspondent
A major political shift has unfolded in Karnataka as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah resigned from his post on Thursday, clearing the way for Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to assume the state’s top office — a move long anticipated within Congress circles.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said he stepped down following directions from the Congress high command. “I had said earlier as well that whenever the high command asks me to resign, I will do so. The instruction came yesterday, and today I have resigned,” he said.
Siddaramaiah confirmed that he submitted his resignation to the secretary of Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, who is currently away from Bengaluru due to personal reasons. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was also present at the press conference, though no official announcement regarding the new Chief Minister was made.
However, statements from Congress sources and state minister H.K. Patil strongly indicate that D.K. Shivakumar is set to become the next Chief Minister. He is likely to be elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party during its meeting on Friday, after which the party is expected to stake claim to form the government.
Ahead of the leadership transition, Siddaramaiah held a crucial meeting with ministers at his residence. During the gathering, D.K. Shivakumar touched Siddaramaiah’s feet, and the two leaders embraced each other in what was seen as a symbolic display of unity. While the Congress party has described the development as an “organizational transition,” political observers believe it is part of the power-sharing arrangement that has existed since the party’s victory in 2023.
Following Congress’ win in the May 2023 Assembly elections, a power tussle had emerged between Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar over the Chief Minister’s post. At the time, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership were believed to have worked out a rotational Chief Minister formula. With the government nearing completion of three years in office, pressure from Shivakumar’s supporters for the leadership change had intensified.
Political analysts say the Congress leadership decided on the change keeping upcoming elections and rising anti-incumbency sentiments in mind. In recent months, the Siddaramaiah government had come under attack from the opposition over issues such as the Valmiki Development Corporation scam. Party strategists reportedly believe that changing the leadership could help counter growing public dissatisfaction.
Sources also suggest that the transition may not be limited to the Chief Minister’s post alone. A major cabinet reshuffle is expected, with 15 to 20 new faces likely to be inducted while several current ministers could be dropped. Congress is also considering appointing two Deputy Chief Ministers to balance caste and regional equations — with one post possibly going to a Dalit leader and another to a Lingayat or OBC face.
Speculation is also growing over the possible induction of Siddaramaiah’s son into the cabinet. With D.K. Shivakumar expected to take charge, the Congress is now preparing a new political strategy aimed at strengthening its hold over Karnataka ahead of future electoral battles.