A major leadership transition appears imminent in Karnataka, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expected to resign on Thursday, paving the way for Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to take over the state’s top post after intense consultations within the Congress leadership.
According to multiple reports and party sources, Siddaramaiah has sought an appointment with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to formally submit his resignation later in the day. The development follows marathon discussions in New Delhi involving senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal.
The anticipated change in leadership marks the culmination of months of speculation over a power-sharing arrangement within the Karnataka Congress after the party’s emphatic victory in the 2023 Assembly elections. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had emerged as the two principal contenders for the chief minister’s post at the time, with the party eventually choosing Siddaramaiah as CM and appointing Shivakumar as his deputy.
Reports indicate that the Congress central leadership has now thrown its weight behind Shivakumar’s elevation. Sources said Siddaramaiah has agreed to abide by the party high command’s decision after discussions with loyalists and senior party functionaries.
While the Congress officially denied that any final decision had been taken earlier this week, political activity within the party intensified rapidly after legislators close to both camps began openly discussing a transition. Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala had maintained that discussions in Delhi were linked only to Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections.
However, senior party leaders and legislators later indicated that Siddaramaiah’s resignation was likely within days, triggering celebrations among Shivakumar supporters across Karnataka.
End of a Significant Political Chapter
If Siddaramaiah steps down, it would bring to a close one of the longest and most influential leadership tenures in Karnataka politics. He has served as chief minister across two terms, first from 2013 to 2018 and again since May 2023.
His latest tenure has been marked by the implementation of the Congress government’s flagship welfare guarantees, including free bus travel for women and direct-benefit schemes targeting economically weaker sections. Siddaramaiah also recently accepted the long-pending socio-educational survey, popularly known as the caste census report, from the State Backward Classes Commission, a politically significant move seen as central to the Congress’s backward-class outreach strategy.
Political observers say Siddaramaiah’s exit would signal not only a generational shift within the Karnataka Congress but also a recalibration of caste and regional equations ahead of future electoral battles.
Shivakumar’s Long Wait Nears Completion
For D.K. Shivakumar, the expected elevation would cap a long political journey marked by organisational influence, crisis management and loyalty to the Congress leadership. An eight-time MLA and current Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Shivakumar played a pivotal role in reviving the Congress in the state after the party’s setbacks in previous elections.
He is widely credited with managing coalition negotiations in Karnataka after the 2018 Assembly elections and safeguarding Congress legislators during periods of political instability. Shivakumar also emerged as a key strategist for the party nationally, particularly during crucial Rajya Sabha contests.
Known for his strong organisational grip and financial clout, Shivakumar has long been viewed as a natural claimant to the chief minister’s post. His supporters have repeatedly argued that his efforts in rebuilding the party machinery after 2019 were instrumental in Congress returning to power in 2023.
Siddaramaiah’s Future Role in Delhi
Amid the transition buzz, reports suggest the Congress leadership may offer Siddaramaiah a larger national role, potentially including a Rajya Sabha berth.
Though there has been no official confirmation, such a move could help the Congress retain Siddaramaiah’s influence within the party while facilitating a smoother leadership handover in Karnataka.
The leadership change is expected to have broader political implications in the state, where the Congress is seeking to consolidate its social coalition and maintain momentum against the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) ahead of the next Assembly elections scheduled for 2028.
As Karnataka awaits an official announcement, the focus now shifts to the Congress Legislature Party meeting and the possible swearing-in timeline for Shivakumar, who appears poised to finally assume the state’s highest political office.
Siddaramaiah Set to Quit as Karnataka Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar Likely Successor added by Arun Kumar N on
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