Siddaramaiah Resigns: Karnataka CM Announces Exit During Breakfast Meeting With Ministers

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has officially announced his resignation on Thursday, marking a significant turning point in the state's political landscape. The announcement was made during a high-profile breakfast meeting held at the Chief Minister's official residence in Bengaluru, where he addressed his cabinet colleagues. Siddaramaiah informed the ministers of his decision to step down from the post he has held since the Congress party assumed power in 2023.

Resignation Submission and Governor's Absence

Following the announcement, Siddaramaiah is scheduled to visit Lok Bhavan at 3 PM today to formalize the process. He will submit his resignation to the Governor's office. Notably, the Governor of Karnataka, Thawarchand Gehlot, is currently not present in Bengaluru. Reports indicate that the Governor is in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, visiting an ailing relative. In his absence, the resignation will be processed through the official administrative channels of the Governor's office, while the Chief Minister had convened the cabinet meeting at 10:30 AM specifically to communicate this transition to his team.

The Path for DK Shivakumar

The resignation of Siddaramaiah clears the path for Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to take over the leadership of the state. This transition comes after a long period of internal deliberations and political maneuvering within the party, while siddaramaiah had initially taken the oath of office on May 23, 2023, after the Congress secured a victory in the assembly elections. 5 years each between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. However, despite the government completing 3 years according to the source, the transition had been a point of contention between the two camps.

The Delhi Intervention and the Bihar Model

The decision for Siddaramaiah to step down was finalized following a crucial meeting in Delhi. It's reported that Rahul Gandhi personally spoke with Siddaramaiah to facilitate this transition. Sources suggest that Siddaramaiah didn't agree to vacate the post without certain strategic offers. As part of the agreement, he has reportedly been offered a Rajya Sabha seat. On top of that, there are discussions regarding appointing his son as a Deputy Chief Minister, a move being compared to the Bihar model where similar political adjustments were made. This strategic compromise aims to maintain balance within the Karnataka Congress unit while fulfilling the leadership change demands from the DK Shivakumar camp.