Bengaluru, May 28, 2026: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is widely expected to announce his resignation today, bringing an end to a prolonged leadership tussle within the state’s Congress government. The veteran leader is scheduled to meet Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot this afternoon, following a breakfast meeting with his cabinet colleagues, including Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, at the Chief Minister’s official residence in Bengaluru. The developments follow marathon discussions in New Delhi involving Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Siddaramaiah, where the high command reportedly directed the Chief Minister to step aside to facilitate a leadership transition.
Siddaramaiah, who has served as Karnataka’s Chief Minister for over eight years and 12 days across two terms—surpassing the record of his mentor D Devaraj Urs—had earlier indicated that he would abide by the party’s decision. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he stated, *“I will speak tomorrow,”* after paying floral tributes to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary. Senior Congress leader R V Deshpande, Chairperson of the Administrative Reforms Commission, confirmed that Siddaramaiah had decided to resign, telling reporters that the Chief Minister had given his word to the high command and would honor it. Deshpande added that several ministers and legislators urged Siddaramaiah not to resign, but the Chief Minister remained firm in his commitment.
The Congress high command is believed to have offered Siddaramaiah a Rajya Sabha berth and a larger national role in exchange for his resignation. However, sources suggest the 77-year-old leader is reluctant to shift to national politics. The last date for Rajya Sabha nominations is June 8, and the party leadership is expected to continue persuading him to accept the offer. Before submitting his resignation, Siddaramaiah will host a breakfast meeting with his cabinet colleagues at 9 a.m. today, which Shivakumar is expected to attend. Following the meeting, the Chief Minister is likely to address a press conference before meeting the Governor.
While the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting has not yet been officially called, sources indicate that a formal meeting could be held on Friday, May 29, to elect or name Siddaramaiah’s successor. Siddaramaiah’s camp has been pushing for a CLP election, which some believe could pave the way for Home Minister G Parameshwara, a senior Dalit leader, to emerge as a consensus candidate. Such a move would not only stall Shivakumar’s elevation but also allow Siddaramaiah to claim political credit for facilitating Karnataka’s first Dalit Chief Minister from the Congress. However, party insiders suggest that the high command is inclined to elevate Shivakumar, who has been a key contender for the top post since the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term in November 2025.
The leadership transition has gathered momentum after intense discussions in Delhi, where Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders reportedly concluded that a change in leadership was necessary to address governance concerns and internal party dynamics. AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, who arrived in Bengaluru on Wednesday evening to oversee the transition, clarified that no official decision had been taken yet and requested the media not to speculate. Surjewala also met Siddaramaiah and other senior leaders to discuss the evolving situation.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the Congress leadership, with state president B.Y. Vijayendra predicting mid-term Assembly polls in Karnataka regardless of who becomes the next Chief Minister. Vijayendra alleged that the Congress high command’s directive to replace Siddaramaiah was an admission of the state government’s failure to provide good governance over the past three years. The BJP’s assertion reflects the political uncertainty surrounding the leadership transition, even as the Congress high command appears determined to formalize the change.
As the state awaits Siddaramaiah’s official announcement, all eyes remain on the breakfast meeting and subsequent developments. The Congress high command’s decision to facilitate a leadership change underscores the party’s efforts to revitalize its governance narrative in Karnataka, even as speculation continues over the identity of the next Chief Minister.
