Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah resigned on Thursday, hours after hosting a breakfast meeting with cabinet colleagues and informing them of his decision.
The move followed instructions from the Congress high command to make way for Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s elevation to the top post.
AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala and party general secretary KC Venugopal arrived in Bengaluru to oversee the transition. Reports indicated that Siddaramaiah was offered a central role with a Rajya Sabha seat, but he has not accepted the proposal. Sources said Rahul Gandhi personally conveyed the leadership change, prompting Siddaramaiah to step down.
During the breakfast meeting, Siddaramaiah proposed Shivakumar’s name as his successor and urged ministers to support him. Karnataka Law Minister HK Patil confirmed that Shivakumar will be the next chief minister, adding that the decision was unanimous and without dissent.
Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation to the Governor’s office, though Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot was away in Madhya Pradesh. He later addressed the media, stating that he had formally stepped down.
