Senior Congress leaders are expected to discuss the structure of the Karnataka government, composition of the new Cabinet, ministerial posts, allocation of key portfolios, balance between factions within the state unit, and possible organizational changes to manage competing interests after the leadership transition.
Siddaramaiah, 77, who resigned as chief minister on Thursday, and D.K. Shivakumar, who is expected to take office, was part of the consultations in New Delhi even as the resignation process was completed in Bengaluru on Friday. The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) is expected to meet next week to elect its new leader, people familiar with the matter said.
Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot on Friday accepted Siddaramaiah’s resignation and dissolved the cabinet ahead of the leadership transition. “Siddaramaiah will continue to serve as Chief Minister until alternative arrangements are made,” Gehlot said in a notification.
Siddaramaiah’s resignation ended months of uncertainty over the Congress leadership transition in the state. He held a breakfast meeting with his Cabinet colleagues, including Shivakumar, before submitting his resignation letter to Gehlot’s private secretary, as the governor was out of the state. Gehlot accepted the resignation after returning to Bengaluru.
On Thursday, Siddaramaiah held a joint press conference with Shivakumar and Minister G Parameshwara and said that he acted on the directions of the Congress leadership but would remain active in Karnataka politics. He said he turned down an offer to go to Rajya Sabha, saying he was not interested in national politics. Siddaramaiah said he intends to continue as a legislator and remain in public life.
Siddaramaiah avoided naming a personal choice and said whoever the leadership and the CLP choose will be his successor. Karnataka Minister HK Patil told reporters that Siddaramaiah supported Shivakumar as the new chief minister.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar left for Delhi on Thursday to hold talks with the party leadership.
Thunderstorms in the capital halted Siddaramaiah’s flight in Jaipur, while Shivakumar arrived in Delhi late on Thursday night. Shivakumar is expected to be elected as leader of the CLP meeting.
The Congress returned to power in Karnataka in 2023, winning 135 of the 224 seats, the party’s biggest victory in a generation in the state. Since then, she has been mired in tensions over the top job. A two-time prime minister, Siddaramaiah built a popular alliance of backward castes, Dalits and Muslims, helping the Congress replace the BJP in power.
Siddaramaiah, the state’s longest-serving chief minister, resigned from his post two days after the party leadership summoned him and Shivakumar to Delhi and held marathon meetings. The party leadership pushed Siddaramaiah to step down and make way for new leadership, especially in light of the 2028 Lok Sabha elections.
Attention turned to the formation of the next government after Siddaramaiah’s resignation. It is expected that several deputy prime ministers will be appointed. Siddaramaiah’s son Yatindra is expected to get a ministerial post. He is also being discussed for the post of deputy chief minister, with supporters arguing that his inclusion could help maintain backward class support.
