Bengaluru witnessed high political drama on Thursday after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah indicated that he would step down from office, triggering a swift public endorsement of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar as his successor by several Congress ministers.
The developments unfolded hours after Siddaramaiah hosted a closed-door breakfast meeting with Shivakumar, cabinet colleagues and senior Congress leaders at his official residence in Bengaluru. The meeting, which came amid months of speculation over a power-sharing arrangement within the Karnataka Congress, appeared to settle the question of leadership transition.
Soon after the meeting, ministers emerging from the residence openly stated that Siddaramaiah would resign later in the day and that Shivakumar was set to take over as the next chief minister.
“Chief Minister will resign at 3 o’clock. CM Siddaramaiah said that we will make DK Shivakumar the new CM, he will become the CM,” Karnataka Minister H.K. Patil told reporters after the meeting.
Another senior minister, Ramalinga Reddy, said Siddaramaiah had informed colleagues about his decision. “By 3.30 pm, he is going to resign. He has thanked all our ministers for our cooperation,” he said.
However, confusion continued through the afternoon over the exact timing and formal process of the resignation. When asked whether Siddaramaiah was heading to Delhi or had already resigned, Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao dismissed the speculation.
“Why would the CM go to Delhi?” Rao said, before adding “No” when asked if Siddaramaiah had already resigned.
The Chief Minister’s office later issued a brief schedule stating that Siddaramaiah would visit Lok Bhavan at 2.30 pm and address a press conference at his official residence, ‘Krishna’, at 3 pm.
Photos, hugs and political messaging dominate Bengaluru meeting
Visuals from the breakfast meeting quickly became the centre of Karnataka’s political conversation. Shivakumar was seen greeting Siddaramaiah warmly, touching his feet, and later embracing him before the two leaders sat down with ministers and legislators.
Photographs released by both camps spread rapidly on social media, with Congress insiders suggesting the images were meant to project unity at a time when tensions over succession had intensified within the party.
Several ministers and MLAs considered close to Siddaramaiah were also present at the gathering.
Minister Eshwar Khandre said Siddaramaiah had been thanked by cabinet colleagues for his leadership. “We have all thanked the CM for guiding us all these years. He will speak to you,” Khandre said.
Sources within the Congress indicated that Siddaramaiah is expected to formally propose Shivakumar’s name during the Congress Legislature Party meeting, though the meeting had not been officially scheduled till Thursday afternoon.
BJP attacks Congress over leadership change
The expected transition also triggered sharp political reactions from the BJP, which accused the Congress of betraying backward classes by replacing Siddaramaiah.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj S Bommai claimed the leadership change would hurt the Congress politically.
“It is a betrayal of backward classes by Congress party, especially Rahul Gandhi. He has been campaigning for OBC and has removed an OBC Chief Minister himself,” Bommai said.
He also alleged that the Congress government had remained consumed by internal rivalry between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar throughout its tenure.
“From day one, the date was fixed for period sharing between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar,” Bommai said, adding that governance and development had suffered because of infighting and financial mismanagement.
Meanwhile, fresh speculation emerged after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot left Bengaluru during the political developments. Congress sources, however, maintained that the Governor’s absence would not affect the resignation process and that Siddaramaiah had been advised to proceed according to schedule.
The Congress leadership has not yet made a formal announcement on the succession plan, though public remarks by ministers strongly indicated that Shivakumar is set to take charge in Karnataka.