Karnataka: A major political shift appears imminent in Karnataka after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reportedly informed senior cabinet colleagues that he would step down from the top post, paving the way for Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar to assume leadership of the Congress government in the state.
The announcement was reportedly made during a meeting held at the chief minister’s official residence in Bengaluru on Thursday morning. The development triggered celebrations among supporters of Shivakumar, who has long been viewed as a strong contender for the post.
Sources indicated that the Congress high command had been holding discussions for months regarding a possible leadership transition in Karnataka. The issue is believed to have been resolved following recent consultations in New Delhi involving senior party leaders.
The leadership formula was reportedly linked to an earlier understanding within the party regarding rotational chief ministership after two-and-a-half years in office. That timeline had ended late last year, increasing pressure from Shivakumar’s supporters for a change in leadership.
According to political sources, Siddaramaiah is expected to formally submit his resignation to Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot after addressing the media regarding his decision.
Before the expected transition, the state government also accepted the long-pending caste census report, which has generated fresh political debate in Karnataka. The report reportedly suggested significant demographic shifts among major communities in the state, with Scheduled Castes and Muslims emerging among the largest population groups, followed by Lingayats, Vokkaligas, Kurubas and Scheduled Tribes.
The expected replacement of Siddaramaiah, a prominent OBC Kuruba leader, with Shivakumar, a key Vokkaliga face of the Congress, is likely to spark political discussion across party lines. The BJP is expected to raise questions regarding the Congress leadership’s stand on OBC representation, especially as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly spoken about backward class representation in politics at the national level.
The Congress had returned to power in Karnataka after registering a decisive victory in the 2023 Assembly elections, defeating the BJP government in the state.
