NEW DELHI: The dust and fury surrounding the power transition in Karnataka do not appear to have settled, with Siddaramaiah's resignation as chief minister and deputy CM DK Shivakumar, who is expected to take over, set to meet Congress state in-charge Randeep Surjewela in the national capital. Both leaders will also meet Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge later in the day.
Key Agenda Items
According to sources, the meetings are primarily focused on finalizing Rajya Sabha candidates, Legislative Council (MLC) nominations, and a possible cabinet reshuffle ahead of the swearing-in of the new government. Sources further indicated that several ministers from the Siddaramaiah cabinet are unlikely to find a place in the proposed DK Shivakumar-led cabinet. The party leadership is also considering appointing four Deputy Chief Ministers to maintain social and regional balance in the new dispensation.
Siddaramaiah's Stand
A day after announcing that he would step down as chief minister to pave the way for Shivakumar in accordance with the rotational formula agreed upon after the 2023 win, Siddaramaiah expressed his desire to stay in Bengaluru rather than move to the Rajya Sabha, which was part of an offer pitched by the party high command. Siddaramaiah's move to partly agree with the top brass while holding his ground on not moving to the national capital for national politics suggests that the development may mutate into a complex quagmire.
Meetings and Discussions
On Friday, Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, and Surjewela will hold discussions with the party's top leadership. Rajya Sabha candidates, MLC candidates, and cabinet reshuffle will be the top priority during the meeting. Several ministers from the Siddaramaiah cabinet are unlikely to get a berth in the DK Shivakumar-led cabinet. To maintain social and regional balance in the government, four Deputy CMs can be appointed, Congress sources told news agency ANI.
Siddaramaiah's Press Conference
At a press conference on Thursday, the 77-year-old publicly confirmed that he had humbly declined the party brass's offer of a national role through a Rajya Sabha nomination so that he could remain active in state politics. He has been CM for a little over three years since being sworn in for his second stint on May 20, 2023.
Farewell and Transition
As planned, Siddaramaiah hosted a breakfast meeting with his cabinet colleagues, including his deputy and unofficial CM-in-waiting DK Shivakumar, at his official residence before handing in his resignation. Hugs, tears, and apologies followed. Shivakumar had a closed-door meeting with the outgoing CM before the larger gathering assembled, embraced him, and even touched his feet. For almost two hours, the ministers huddled around Siddaramaiah as he articulated the reason for his decision to resign after five decades in active politics. 'I have no regrets. I am resigning wholeheartedly,' he told his colleagues.
He informally mentioned that Shivakumar would take over, in line with what the party brass wanted, sources said. However, during the farewell press conference, Siddaramaiah evaded questions about his successor even as Shivakumar sat beside him, smiling through the interaction. 'Whoever the legislature party and the high command decide will be the chief minister,' he said.
Next Steps
The Congress high command is expected to convene a CLP meeting in Bengaluru after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accepts Siddaramaiah's resignation, possibly on Friday. The outgoing CM visited Lok Bhavan around 3 PM to submit his papers. Since the governor was out of town, he handed over the resignation to the Lok Bhavan special secretary, which was accepted on Friday morning.
