Siddaramaiah Ready to Resign: Karnataka CM Responds to Rahul Gandhi Message via Surjewala

The political landscape in Karnataka is witnessing a significant shift as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed his readiness to step down from his post. This development follows a crucial meeting with Randeep Singh Surjewala, the AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka, who reportedly carried a specific message from senior leader Rahul Gandhi. Sources indicate that the Chief Minister has responded positively to the high command's directive, stating that he's prepared to submit his resignation as early as tomorrow. This move marks a major turning point for the three year old state government, which has been the subject of intense leadership speculation in recent days.

Conditions and Future Arrangements

While agreeing to step down, Siddaramaiah has reportedly placed certain conditions before the party leadership. One of the primary conditions involves the political future of his son, who is expected to be inducted into the state cabinet as a minister following the transition. However, a final decision regarding whether Siddaramaiah himself will accept a Rajya Sabha seat remains pending. The transition of power is expected to facilitate the appointment of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar as the next Chief Minister of Karnataka, a move that the party high command had previously requested Siddaramaiah to clear the path for.

Meeting with the Governor and Cabinet Colleagues

The Chief Minister has already sought an appointment with Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, which is likely to take place on Thursday. Before heading to the Raj Bhavan to submit his formal resignation, Siddaramaiah is scheduled to host a breakfast meeting for his cabinet colleagues, including DK Shivakumar. This gathering is seen as a gesture of unity before the official leadership change, while despite the visible movement towards a transition, Randeep Singh Surjewala has maintained a cautious stance, clarifying that the Congress party has not yet officially called for a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) and that no further formal decisions have been finalized at this moment.

Reactions from Party Leaders and MLAs

Senior Congress MLA Deshpande has confirmed the Chief Minister's intent, stating that Siddaramaiah personally informed him of the decision to resign. According to Deshpande, several ministers and MLAs visited the Chief Minister's residence to urge him to reconsider his decision and remain in office. Some legislators even suggested that the matter should be debated within a CLP meeting before any final step is taken. However, Siddaramaiah reportedly declined these suggestions, emphasizing his commitment to the party high command. He stated that he had given his word to the leadership and intended to honor it, regardless of the pressure from his supporters within the legislative wing.

The Path Forward for Karnataka

As the state prepares for a new leadership phase, the focus remains on the smooth transition of power between the two senior leaders. The high command's intervention on Wednesday had initially met with a response from Siddaramaiah that he would discuss the matter on Thursday. With the latest developments, it appears that the internal negotiations have reached a conclusion, while the political activity in the state has intensified as supporters of both Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar await the formal announcement and the subsequent swearing-in process that will define the next chapter of the Karnataka government.