The drama in Karnataka politics may have ended today when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah resigned as Congress leader. Since he announced it in an all-day breakfast meeting of ministers and party leaders in the morning, he has quit as the party’s leader.
Siddaramaiah will go to Raj Bhavan today at 3 PM to formally submit his resignation letter. If Governor Thawarchand Gehlot is not present, the Chief Minister is likely to hand over the resignation letter to the Governor's secretary.
So, the leadership transition is going on smoothly and effectively with the high command of the Congress. Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar were warm and cordial during the breakfast meeting, conveying to others that the party is united despite months of political speculation.
The pictures of the two senior leaders of Congress hugging have become a symbol of the changing political situation in Karnataka. Siddaramaiah himself is expected to propose DK Shivakumar as the next Chief Minister during the upcoming Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting, party sources said.
If confirmed, this would signal the beginning of a new leadership era in Karnataka under DK Shivakumar, long one of the most powerful leaders in the state Congress unit.
So there is speculation of a leadership change in Karnataka since Congress came to power after the Assembly elections in 2023. Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar were the two most popular candidates for the Chief Minister's post at that time. In fact, after the heated internal debate, the Congress high command elected Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister and Shivakumar as Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President.
Since then, rumours of a rotational Chief Minister arrangement have been surfacing, but the Congress party never officially acknowledged such an agreement. Shivakumar's supporters had always insisted that the leadership transition take place in the middle of the government’s term.
The latest developments also indicate that the Congress leadership has decided to carry out the long-talked-about transition in a very peaceful manner. The high command is not keen on violence and wants to create unity before the next elections in Karnataka.
Political analysts say Siddaramaiah’s decision to step down voluntarily and to publicly support DK Shivakumar’s elevation would help to maintain stability in the ruling Congress government. A smooth transfer of power is also a strategy to strengthen the party’s internal cohesion ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, Congress workers and party members gather outside Siddaramaiah’s house and party offices around Bengaluru, taking note of the fast-moving developments. Siddaramaiah’s supporters and DK Shivakumar's supporters are also in a state of emotion as Karnataka stands on the precipice of one of its biggest political transformations in recent years.
Now that the state is waiting for the official resignation and subsequent announcement of the new Chief Minister, all eyes are on Raj Bhavan and the upcoming legislature party meeting, where the Congress leadership will formally endorse DK Shivakumar as Karnataka’s next Chief Minister.
