Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday resigned from his post, bringing an end to weeks of intense political speculation over a possible leadership change in the ruling Congress government.
The veteran Congress leader submitted his resignation at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru. In the absence of Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who is currently out of the state on an official visit, the resignation letter was handed over to the Governor’s Special Secretary, Prabhu Shankar.
Speaking to reporters after tendering his resignation, Siddaramaiah said he stepped down in accordance with the directions of the Congress high command.
“I have resigned from the post of Chief Minister. Since the Governor is not in Bengaluru, I submitted the letter to his secretary. The party leadership asked me to step down, and I have respected the decision of the high command,” he said.
The resignation follows prolonged discussions within the Karnataka Congress over a possible leadership transition, with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar widely seen as the frontrunner for the top post. Senior party leaders had held multiple rounds of consultations in New Delhi over the past few days amid growing pressure from rival camps within the state unit.
Several ministers and Congress legislators reportedly met Siddaramaiah at his official residence earlier in the day before he proceeded to submit his resignation. Visuals from Bengaluru showed emotional scenes among supporters of the outgoing Chief Minister, while Congress leaders attempted to project unity during the transition.
Siddaramaiah, one of Karnataka’s most influential backward class leaders, has had a long political career spanning several decades. Known for his socialist roots and welfare-oriented politics, he served as Chief Minister for a second term after leading Congress to victory in the 2023 Assembly elections. His administration was identified with the implementation of the party’s flagship guarantee schemes and various social welfare initiatives.
Political observers believe the leadership change could mark a significant shift within the Karnataka Congress ahead of future electoral battles. The party high command is expected to hold further consultations with MLAs before formally announcing the next Chief Minister. A meeting of the Congress Legislature Party is likely to be convened shortly.
Sources indicated that the Governor is expected to return to Bengaluru later in the night, after which the formal process related to acceptance of the resignation and government transition is expected to move forward.
The development has triggered fresh political debate across Karnataka, with attention now focused on who will formally take charge as the state’s next Chief Minister.