Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced his resignation, marking a major political transition in the Congress-ruled state amid growing speculation over a leadership change.
The veteran Congress leader submitted his resignation to the Governor’s office through Special Secretary Prabhushankar at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru. Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, who is currently out of the state, is expected to take a decision after returning later in the night.
Addressing a press conference shortly after tendering his resignation, Siddaramaiah said the move was in line with directions from the Congress high command and asserted that constitutional procedures must now be followed to facilitate the formation of the next government.
“We are in the absolute majority. Constitution is our religion,” Siddaramaiah said, while thanking Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for giving him the opportunity to serve twice as Chief Minister.
“Our party has won 135+1 seats. In addition, two independents have also supported our government. We are in the absolute majority,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar accompanied Siddaramaiah to Lok Bhavan after a high-level breakfast meeting at the Chief Minister’s official residence, ‘Kaveri’. During the meeting, Shivakumar was seen touching Siddaramaiah’s feet and embracing him, gestures widely interpreted as symbolic of a leadership transition.
Several senior Congress ministers, including Priyank Kharge, KJ George, MB Patil, Ramalinga Reddy and HK Patil, attended the meeting amid tight security arrangements outside the residence.
Supporters of Shivakumar later gathered outside his Bengaluru residence and distributed sweets amid expectations that he could be chosen as the next Chief Minister.
Siddaramaiah served two terms as Karnataka Chief Minister, first from 2013 to 2018 and again after the Congress secured a decisive victory in the 2023 Assembly elections. During his tenure, he surpassed former Chief Minister D Devaraj Urs to become Karnataka’s longest-serving Chief Minister.
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