The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Karnataka is set to hold a crucial meeting on Saturday to elect its new leader following Siddaramaiah’s resignation as Chief Minister, amid growing indications that KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar could be the party’s choice for the top post.

The CLP meeting will begin at 4 p.m. at the Conference Hall of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. Siddaramaiah, who continues as the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party, will preside over the meeting where legislators are expected to formally choose the party’s new leader.

The development comes at a time when political attention remains focused on who will become Karnataka’s next Chief Minister. Senior Congress leaders, including D.K. Shivakumar, AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, Legislative Council floor leader N.S. Bose Raju, and party executive presidents, are expected to attend.

The announcement regarding the meeting was made by Allamaprabhu Patil, MLA and Secretary of the Congress Legislature Party. All MLAs, MLCs, Lok Sabha MPs and Rajya Sabha members have been asked to be present.

DK Shivakumar set to become Karnataka’s next CM?

Speculation over D.K. Shivakumar’s elevation intensified after Karnataka Minister H.K. Patil said on Friday that Shivakumar is likely to become the next Chief Minister and could take oath within the next two days.

Speaking to IANS, Patil said Shivakumar was effectively the Chief Minister-designate after discussions held by the party leadership. He referred to Siddaramaiah’s remarks about consultations in Delhi, saying it had become clear that Shivakumar would be the next CM.

The comments have added more importance to today’s CLP meeting, which is expected to provide clarity on the leadership transition in the state.

Ahead of the CLP meeting, Siddaramaiah returned to Bengaluru on Friday after holding a series of discussions in Delhi with senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge.

During his visit, Siddaramaiah also met AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal. He later held discussions with D.K. Shivakumar and former minister K.J. George. Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah and former minister K.H. Muniyappa were also part of meetings and interactions during the Delhi trip.

With IANS inputs