Bengaluru: Political uncertainty deepened in Karnataka on Thursday amid strong indications that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah could step down, even as Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot left Bengaluru for Indore due to a family medical emergency.

Sources said Siddaramaiah is still expected to submit his resignation to the Governor’s office despite the Governor being away from the state. Gehlot reportedly left Bengaluru around 10.30 pm on Wednesday on a flight to his hometown Indore and has not yet booked a return journey.

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Under constitutional procedure, a Chief Minister normally tenders resignation directly to the Governor during a formal meeting at Raj Bhavan. However, constitutional experts point out that a resignation can still be communicated through official channels even if the Governor is not physically present in the state.

According to Article 164(1) of the Constitution, “The Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister, and the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor."

The resignation formally takes effect only after it is accepted by the Governor, who then initiates the next constitutional process, including appointing a caretaker government or inviting another leader to form the government.

The political developments come amid growing speculation over a leadership change in Karnataka, with Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar widely seen as the frontrunner to replace Siddaramaiah.

Adding to the suspense, Siddaramaiah’s legal advisor AS Ponnanna on Wednesday acknowledged that political changes were likely in the state.

“There are some changes on the cards. We cannot deny it. We cannot shut our eyes to that. But what transpires, how it transpires, what is going to happen, what is the nature of the change, we have to wait and watch,” he told reporters.

Senior Congress MLA T B Jayachandra also indicated that the party high command would take the final call on the leadership issue.

“Any development which is happening in Karnataka is as per the directions of the High Command only. Yesterday, there was a big marathon meeting. A lot of issues have been discussed. Accordingly, they will do it tomorrow... High command's directions will be implemented tomorrow,” Jayachandra said.

Meanwhile, supporters of Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar gathered outside his Bengaluru residence early Thursday amid mounting expectations that he could soon be elevated to the Chief Minister’s post.

The leadership buzz intensified after top Congress leaders, including Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, held a series of meetings with the party high command in New Delhi earlier this week.