The political uncertainty in Karnataka has finally reached a conclusion in the national capital, while after days of intense speculation and internal friction within the state unit of the Congress party, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has agreed to resign from his post. This breakthrough came after a marathon meeting lasting approximately 7 hours at the AICC office in Delhi, followed by a crucial and confidential one-on-one discussion with Rahul Gandhi. The Chief Minister has reportedly consented to the leadership change, adhering to the previously discussed power-sharing arrangement within the party.
The 50-50 Power Sharing Formula
According to sources, the transition is part of a 50-50 power-sharing formula that was established for the 5 year governance period in Karnataka. Under this agreement, the tenure was to be divided between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. While the demand for a leadership change had been raised by DK Shivakumar and his supporters for a considerable time, the matter had remained unresolved despite multiple rounds of discussions and his supporters camping in Delhi. However, the latest developments indicate that Siddaramaiah will officially tender his resignation on Thursday, May 28, to honor the high command's decision.
High Level Deliberations in Delhi
The high-stakes meeting on Tuesday was attended by top Congress leaders, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, and Randeep Singh Surjewala, while during the session, Rahul Gandhi held a separate meeting with Siddaramaiah to explain the necessity of a leadership change for the party's long-term interests and upcoming electoral challenges. To facilitate a smooth transition, the high command has reportedly offered Siddaramaiah a Rajya Sabha seat, marking his entry into national politics. Also, his son, Dr. Yatindra Siddaramaiah, has been offered a Deputy Chief Minister post in the newly formed cabinet.
Emotional Meeting with Close Ministers
Immediately following the discussions with the high command, Siddaramaiah held an emergency meeting at a private location in Delhi with his closest cabinet colleagues, including Dr. G. Parameshwara, KJ George, MB Patil, and Bhairati Suresh, while during this meeting, his loyalists reportedly placed emotional pressure on him, urging him not to resign and suggesting they would approach the high command again. However, Siddaramaiah remained firm on his commitment, stating that he couldn't reject the words of Rahul Gandhi and was ready to fulfill his promise by stepping down from the Chief Minister's office.
Next Steps and Official Announcement
Siddaramaiah arrived at Bengaluru's HAL airport late Tuesday night, accompanied by ministers Zameer Ahmed Khan, HC Mahadevappa, Krishna Byre Gowda, and legal advisor AS Ponnanna. On Wednesday, May 27, the Chief Minister is scheduled to participate in programs commemorating the death anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. It's expected that he will hold a press conference to officially announce his resignation. To ensure a easy transfer of power by June 2026, AICC leaders KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala are arriving in Bengaluru today, May 27, to conduct a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting and finalize the selection of the next Chief Minister.