BJP-UDF clashes in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation over attendance register
Violent clashes broke out between the councilors from the BJP and the Congress-led UDF during the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation council meeting on Monday.
A day after stepping down as Karnataka chief minister, Siddaramaiah arrived in New Delhi on Friday for a series of meetings with the Congress leadership as the party moved closer to formalising the next government in the state.
Siddaramaiah, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Surjewala, met Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi at 10 Janpath. Photographs released by the party showed Gandhi warmly greeting the outgoing chief minister as discussions intensified over the formation of a new government under Shivakumar following weeks of speculation over a leadership change in Karnataka.
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Shri @siddaramaiah meets LoP Shri @RahulGandhi today.
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📍 New Delhi pic.twitter.com/Mn9UDC9lBG
— Congress (@INCIndia) May 29, 2026
Later in the day, Siddaramaiah met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence in the national capital. Karnataka ministers Priyank Kharge and KJ George, along with MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, were also present during the meeting.
#WATCH | Delhi: Outgoing Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah arrives at the residence of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge. pic.twitter.com/cudzxGqn5Y
— ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2026
The meetings in Delhi mark the next phase of the Congress’s transition plan after Siddaramaiah’s resignation and are expected to shape the composition of the new administration, including key appointments in the cabinet and the legislature.
According to party sources, the leadership is discussing a range of organisational and political matters, including nominations to the Rajya Sabha and the Karnataka Legislative Council, along with a cabinet reshuffle ahead of the swearing-in of the new government.
Sources indicated that several ministers from the outgoing Siddaramaiah cabinet may not find a place in the proposed Shivakumar-led government. Discussions are also underway on appointing four deputy chief ministers in an attempt to maintain social and regional representation within the new cabinet.
Yathindra Siddaramaiah, a member of the Legislative Council and son of the outgoing chief minister, is also being considered for induction into the new cabinet, according to sources. He could be assigned a significant portfolio as the party seeks to project continuity during the leadership transition.
Speaking to reporters after Siddaramaiah’s meeting with Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Surjewala described the interaction as cordial.
“Siddaramaiah met Rahul Gandhi today. It was a very pleasant meeting, and they discussed multiple political issues. I have nothing to say further,” Surjewala said.
Governor accepts Siddaramaiah’s resignation
Even as political consultations continued in Delhi, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot formally accepted Siddaramaiah’s resignation on Friday and dissolved the Council of Ministers headed by him.
An official order issued from Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru stated that Siddaramaiah would continue in office until alternative arrangements are made.
“In exercise of the powers conferred on me under Article 164(1) of the Constitution of India, I, THAAWARCHAND GEHLOT, Governor of Karnataka, have accepted the resignation of Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka and dissolved the Council of Ministers headed by him with immediate effect. Siddaramaiah shall continue to function as Chief Minister till alternative arrangements are made,” the order said.
Siddaramaiah says Congress retains clear majority
Speaking after submitting his resignation on Thursday, Siddaramaiah said he had stepped down following the Congress high command’s direction and maintained that the party remained firmly in control of the Assembly.
“I have resigned voluntarily. There is no pressure on me,” he told reporters.
The veteran leader also thanked Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for giving him the opportunity to serve as chief minister and said constitutional procedures would be followed in the appointment of his successor.
“I am a politician, and I have understood that the Constitution is our religion. Voters are fans, God. I had the opportunity to speak to 7 crore people of Kannada Nadu. I had the opportunity to become the Chief Minister twice. I would like to express my immense gratitude to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, who have provided this opportunity,” he said.
“Our party has won 135+1 seats. In addition, two independents have also supported our government. We are in the absolute majority,” he said.
Siddaramaiah also expressed confidence that the constitutional process for appointing the next chief minister would proceed smoothly.
“I have submitted my resignation today after the high command told me to resign earlier. I am fully confident that the Governor will accept it when he comes. Because it has to be done according to the Constitution. We are in the absolute majority. Therefore, it is constitutional that the Chief Minister should be allowed to form the government,” he said.
Flight diversion and Delhi consultations
The political developments came after Siddaramaiah’s flight to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur because of inclement weather. During the stopover, he met former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot at Jaipur airport.
In a post on X, Siddaramaiah later said he had a “warm meeting” with Gehlot during the brief halt.
DK Shivakumar, who reached Karnataka Bhavan in Chanakyapuri late on Thursday night, also referred to the weather-related disruption.
“The weather is bad today. My CM has landed in Jaipur. Lots of turbulence,” he said.
According to sources, the Congress Legislative Party meeting and the date for the swearing-in ceremony are expected to be finalised after Friday’s consultations with the party leadership.
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