Siddaramaiah resigns as Karnataka CM after Congress high command direction | WATCH
Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced his resignation as Karnataka Chief Minister, saying he stepped down following directions from the Congress high command, clearing the way for the next CM. According to reports, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will take over the top post.
Addressing a packed press conference in Bengaluru, the 77-year-old leader confirmed that he had submitted his resignation letter to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s Special Secretary Prabhu Shankar as the Governor was out of town.
“I have tendered my resignation from the Chief Minister’s post. I am confident the Governor would accept my resignation as per Constitutional provisions,” Siddaramaiah said.
According to Lok Bhavan sources, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot is currently in his native place, Indore, for personal reasons.
Deputy CM D K Shivakumar and several cabinet colleagues accompanied Siddaramaiah during the resignation process. Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah hosted a breakfast meeting for ministers at his residence, where he informed them about his decision to step down and indicated that Shivakumar would be his successor as per the Congress leadership’s instructions.
Siddaramaiah also said he had consistently maintained that he would resign whenever directed by the party leadership.
“The high command directed me two days ago to step down, and accordingly, I have submitted my resignation today. I got the opportunity to serve the people of Karnataka twice, for which I thank Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi & Mallikarjun Kharge,” he added.
Pictures released by the Chief Minister’s Office from the breakfast meeting quickly gained attention online. One image showed Siddaramaiah hugging an emotional Shivakumar, while another captured Shivakumar touching Siddaramaiah’s feet and seeking his blessings.
With the resignation now submitted, the Governor is expected to formally accept it before the Congress Legislature Party completes the process of electing its new leader.
With PTI inputs