A crucial meeting of the Karnataka Congress Legislature Party (CLP) is expected to be held in Bengaluru on Saturday evening to formally elect the next Chief Minister of Karnataka, according to senior Congress sources. The meeting, likely to take place at Vidhana Soudha, is expected to unanimously elect Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar as the new leader of the legislature party, paving the way for a leadership transition after the resignation of Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah.
Sources said the Congress high command has already approved the leadership change and has instructed Siddaramaiah to propose Shivakumar’s name at the CLP meeting, which will be seconded by senior MLAs to project unity within the party.
The Congress party has directed all MLAs to remain in Bengaluru for the next two days as the leadership transition process unfolds. Party insiders said the move is intended to send a strong message of cohesion ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Following the CLP meeting, Shivakumar is expected to proceed to Raj Bhavan, where he will formally submit his election as the legislature party leader to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. The Governor is expected to invite him to form the government, with the swearing-in ceremony likely scheduled for Monday.
On Thursday night, the Governor accepted Siddaramaiah’s resignation. He had initially submitted his resignation through the Governor’s office due to the latter’s brief absence from Bengaluru, and was later asked to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until a new leader is formally appointed.
Siddaramaiah, who subsequently travelled to Delhi, met senior Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. Later, he joined Shivakumar for a joint meeting with party leadership, including AICC general secretaries Randeep Surjewala and K C Venugopal, where discussions reportedly covered cabinet formation, portfolio distribution, and Rajya Sabha nominations.
According to party sources, the high command is considering announcing the full cabinet alongside the new Chief Minister’s oath ceremony, similar to the post-2023 Assembly election arrangement. The proposed reshuffle is expected to introduce several new faces to the ministry in an effort to refresh the administration ahead of the next elections.
Among the names being discussed for cabinet induction is Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of the outgoing Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, several MLAs aspiring for ministerial positions — including Sharath Bachegowda, K M Shivalingegowda, and A R Krishnamurthy — are currently in Delhi, lobbying for inclusion in the new cabinet.
In parallel, the Congress high command is also expected to decide on a new president for the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), as Shivakumar is set to vacate the post upon assuming the Chief Minister’s office.
Senior leader Satish Jarkiholi is among the frontrunners for the KPCC president’s role. Party sources said he has already been in discussions with central leadership, including AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, regarding the possible elevation. However, internal deliberations are ongoing over whether he can simultaneously hold both a cabinet berth and the state party presidency.
With the leadership transition nearing completion, all eyes are now on the CLP meeting, which is expected to formally seal one of the most significant political changes in Karnataka in recent years.
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