After Siddaramaiah resigns as Karnataka CM, DK Shivakumar set to take over
In a major political development in Karnataka, senior Congress leader and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has resigned from his post after receiving directions from the party high command, marking the beginning of a leadership transition in the state government.
The resignation paves the way for Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is widely expected to take over as the next Chief Minister of Karnataka.
Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation in Bengaluru at Lok Bhavan, which was received by officials in the absence of the Governor. The formal acceptance is expected once the Governor returns. The transition comes after months of internal discussions within the Indian National Congress regarding leadership balance in the state.
Addressing the media after resigning, Siddaramaiah said he followed the instructions of the party leadership, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. He thanked them for giving him the opportunity to serve as Chief Minister twice.
He strongly defended his government’s performance, particularly the implementation of the Congress “guarantee schemes,” stating that the state’s financial position remained strong despite criticism from opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Siddaramaiah also highlighted that Karnataka continues to rank among the top states in GST collection and income generation, rejecting claims that welfare schemes had weakened the state treasury.
The outgoing Chief Minister also revealed that he was offered a Rajya Sabha seat and a national role by the party high command but chose to remain in state politics.
Meanwhile, celebrations and political activity intensified within Congress circles as DK Shivakumar’s supporters prepared for his expected elevation. The leadership change is seen as a carefully managed transition aimed at maintaining unity within the Karnataka Congress government.
Siddaramaiah reaffirmed that he will continue active politics in the state and fight against communal forces, emphasizing his commitment to constitutional values and social justice.
