The Congress high command has moved closer to completing Karnataka’s leadership transition after senior party leader Rahul Gandhi held discussions with outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar in New Delhi. The meeting focused on the swearing-in ceremony, cabinet formation, and ensuring a smooth transfer of power within the Congress government.
The development comes days after Siddaramaiah resigned as Chief Minister, following a decision by the Congress leadership to hand over the state’s top post to DK Shivakumar. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has already accepted Siddaramaiah’s resignation, clearing the way for the next phase of government formation.
According to party sources, Rahul Gandhi’s intervention was aimed at maintaining unity within the Karnataka Congress and preventing factional tensions during the transition. While the leadership change has largely been accepted by both camps, discussions continue regarding cabinet composition and the distribution of key portfolios.
The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) is scheduled to formally elect DK Shivakumar as its leader, after which he will stake claim to form the government. Party leaders have also begun consultations regarding the swearing-in date, with several options reportedly under consideration.
This transition is significant because it marks Karnataka’s first major leadership change while the Congress remains in power in nearly two decades. Political observers view the move as an effort by the party leadership to honor an internal power-sharing understanding while balancing the interests of both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar factions.
Following the meeting in Delhi, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were also seen together in a show of unity. Shivakumar publicly praised Siddaramaiah’s leadership and described him as a “pillar of strength,” signaling continuity rather than confrontation within the party.
Sources indicate that only a limited number of ministers may be sworn in initially alongside Shivakumar, with a larger cabinet expansion expected later after consultations with the Congress high command. Discussions are reportedly underway to ensure regional, caste, and political representation in the new ministry.
For Rahul Gandhi, the transition represents a crucial political test. While the leadership issue appears to have been resolved, the Congress must now ensure that the change does not affect governance, party unity, or preparations for future elections in Karnataka.
With the CLP meeting expected to formally endorse DK Shivakumar as leader, Karnataka is now set to witness the beginning of a new political chapter under his leadership.
