Siddaramaiah likely to step down as Karnataka CM, DK Shivakumar may take over: Report
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to step down later this week, with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expected to succeed him, according to sources in the Chief Minister’s Office.
Sources indicated that the Congress leadership has asked Siddaramaiah to take on a national role in the Rajya Sabha, while Shivakumar could be elevated as the next chief minister. Siddaramaiah’s son is also reportedly being considered for the post of deputy chief minister.
The development follows a high-level meeting at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
The meeting came amid growing speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka. However, the Congress officially maintained that discussions were centred on the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and denied that any formal talks had taken place regarding a change in state leadership.
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According to sources, the closed-door discussions lasted more than two hours, during which Rahul Gandhi reportedly urged both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to remain united amid months of internal power struggles within the Karnataka Congress.
Sources further claimed that Gandhi told Siddaramaiah that public perception around his leadership had weakened due to the prolonged tussle and that earlier commitments within the party would need to be honoured.
Siddaramaiah was reportedly offered a role at the national level along with a Rajya Sabha seat as part of a broader political arrangement, while discussions continue over a cabinet reshuffle and key appointments in Karnataka.
However, sources suggested that Siddaramaiah was initially reluctant to move to Delhi and was not keen on relinquishing the chief minister’s post. Despite this, he is understood to have assured the party leadership of full cooperation ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls.
No formal announcement has yet been made by the Congress leadership. Party insiders said the leadership did not want to rush into a decision amid intense media speculation and was prioritising the Rajya Sabha elections before finalising any changes in Karnataka.
Sources added that the final decision on Karnataka’s leadership ultimately rests with Rahul Gandhi, with discussions over key political roles and representation for Siddaramaiah loyalists still ongoing.