Bengaluru: The suspense over Karnataka’s chief ministerial change appears to have ended, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expected to submit his resignation on Thursday afternoon and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar set to take over the top post, according to Congress sources cited in the report. The development marks a major political transition within the ruling Congress in Karnataka.
As per the report, Siddaramaiah is likely to visit the Governor’s office at around 3 pm on May 28 to hand over his resignation. The move comes after weeks of speculation over the power sharing arrangement within the Karnataka Congress and the long running question of whether Shivakumar would get his turn as chief minister.
Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar met at the Chief Minister’s residence in Bengaluru for a breakfast meeting. Visuals shared by ANI showed the two senior Congress leaders hugging each other. Shivakumar was also seen touching Siddaramaiah’s feet, a gesture that was widely read as a public attempt to project unity at a politically sensitive moment.
The report said political speculation intensified after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot left Bengaluru amid the developing situation. However, Congress sources maintained that the Governor’s absence would not affect the resignation process and that Siddaramaiah could still submit his resignation as scheduled.
The expected transition is significant because Karnataka has been one of the Congress party’s most important state governments. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have both played central roles in the party’s political strategy in the state. While Siddaramaiah has remained the senior administrative face, Shivakumar has been considered one of the party’s strongest organisational leaders.
For the Congress, the immediate challenge will be to ensure a smooth handover and prevent any perception of internal division. The breakfast meeting between the two leaders appeared aimed at sending a message that the leadership change, if completed as planned, would take place without open conflict.
The coming hours will be crucial for Karnataka politics. Once Siddaramaiah formally submits his resignation and the Congress Legislature Party process moves forward, the road may clear for D K Shivakumar to assume charge as the next chief minister of the state.