BENGALURU: Drawing the curtains on months of intense political negotiation, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah officially submitted his resignation on Thursday. Accompanied by his deputy and designated successor, DK Shivakumar, the veteran leader handed over his resignation letter to the Special Secretary to the Governor at the Raj Bhavan, as Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot was out of station.
The dramatic announcement first unfolded during a crucial breakfast meeting hosted by Siddaramaiah at his official residence in Bengaluru, where traditional Kannada delicacies like masala dosa and idli were served alongside hefty political realities. Addressing his cabinet colleagues and senior party leaders, Siddaramaiah confirmed that the Congress high command had officially requested a transition of power, and he had graciously accepted the decision.
Following the breakfast meet, emotional yet unifying scenes emerged as the Karnataka Congress released pictures of the two heavyweights with the caption, “Unity is our strength!” Shivakumar was seen seeking the blessings of the outgoing Chief Minister, signalling a smooth transition rather than a bitter fallout.
The political shift is viewed as the culmination of a long-standing, backroom power-sharing agreement struck after the Congress party’s resounding victory in the 2023 Assembly elections. Insiders reveal that the Congress high command—including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra—had been holding marathon meetings in Delhi over the past 48 hours to orchestrate a “soft exit” formula. Under this arrangement, Siddaramaiah has reportedly been offered a prominent national role, potentially involving a Rajya Sabha seat and the leadership of the party’s backward classes committee, while his son, Yathindra, may be accommodated with a state cabinet berth.
Supporters of DK Shivakumar have already broken into celebrations across Bengaluru, distributing sweets and chanting slogans. A Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting is expected to be scheduled shortly to officially elect Shivakumar as the new Chief Minister, ushering in a new chapter for Karnataka.
