The Karnataka political transition moved into its final phase on Friday after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot formally accepted the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and dissolved the state Council of Ministers, paving the way for Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar to assume the top post.
Siddaramaiah had submitted his resignation letter on Thursday to the Governor’s Special Secretary at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru after weeks of intense speculation over a leadership change within the Congress government. The resignation was initially received in the Governor’s absence, as Gehlot was out of Karnataka at the time.
The Congress high command is understood to have finalised a leadership transition formula after a series of meetings in New Delhi involving senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Siddaramaiah, and DK Shivakumar. The move is being viewed as an attempt to resolve the long-running power-sharing issue between the two strongest Congress leaders in Karnataka.
Shortly before tendering his resignation, Siddaramaiah held a breakfast meeting with ministers and senior Congress leaders at his official residence in Bengaluru. During the meeting, he reportedly informed colleagues about his decision to step down and indicated that DK Shivakumar would be his successor in accordance with the party leadership’s decision.
Speaking to reporters after resigning, Siddaramaiah said he had submitted his resignation as directed by the party and would abide by whatever decision the Congress high command takes regarding the next Chief Minister. He also clarified that he has no interest in moving to national politics and rejected reports suggesting he would accept a Rajya Sabha position.
The leadership transition marks the end of Siddaramaiah’s second term as Chief Minister. A veteran Congress leader and one of Karnataka’s most influential backward-class politicians, he first served as Chief Minister from 2013 to 2018 and returned to office in May 2023 after the Congress secured a decisive Assembly election victory.
DK Shivakumar is now widely expected to formally stake claim to form the next government. Known as one of the Congress party’s key strategists and organisational leaders, Shivakumar played a major role in rebuilding the party’s strength in Karnataka and is considered one of the principal architects of its 2023 electoral success.
Despite the leadership change, Congress leaders have attempted to project unity within the state unit. Photographs released by the Karnataka Congress showed Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar together during Thursday’s meetings, with party leaders emphasising that the transition was being carried out smoothly and in line with the high command’s instructions.
Political observers believe the change was accelerated by growing concerns within the Congress over prolonged uncertainty, internal factional pressures, and preparations for future elections. Reports suggested the party leadership wanted to complete the transition well before the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections while maintaining stability within the government.
The coming days are expected to see formal consultations between Congress legislators and party leadership before DK Shivakumar is officially sworn in as Karnataka’s next Chief Minister.
