Siddaramaiah resigns as CM, declines RS seat; D K Shivakumar to take charge

New Delhi/Bengaluru, May 28: Veteran Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Thursday resigned as Karnataka chief minister after months of speculation and intense internal discussions within the party over a leadership transition, paving the way for deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar to take over the top post. 

Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru, where governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s special secretary, Prabhu Shankar, received the letter in the governor’s absence. According to Raj Bhavan sources, the governor is currently at his native place in Indore for personal reasons.

Prabhu Shankar confirmed receiving the resignation letter but clarified that only the governor can formally accept it upon his return. 

The development followed a series of high-level meetings in New Delhi involving Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and senior party leaders K C Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had been summoned to the national capital earlier this week as the Congress leadership worked to ensure a smooth transfer of power and avoid a political crisis in the state. 

Addressing reporters after tendering his resignation, Siddaramaiah stated that he had stepped down in obedience to the Congress high command. He reiterated his long-standing stance that he would resign whenever the high command requested it. Having been asked to step down two days prior, he had promised to do so within 48 hours and subsequently fulfilled that commitment. 

He expressed confidence that the governor would accept his resignation upon returning from his tour, describing it as a standard constitutional procedure. While acknowledging that the timeline is up to the governor, Siddaramaiah noted that the resignation must be approved to facilitate the appointment of the new chief minister. 

The outgoing chief minister also disclosed that the party leadership had offered him a Rajya Sabha seat and a possible national role in the Congress, both of which he politely declined, citing his lack of interest in national politics. 

Emotional moments and leadership transition 

Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah hosted a breakfast meeting for ministers and senior Congress leaders at his residence, during which he reportedly informed his cabinet colleagues of his decision to step down and indicated that Shivakumar would succeed him in accordance with the party’s directions. 

Photographs shared by the Karnataka Congress and the chief minister’s office highlighted emotional moments between the two leaders. In one image, Siddaramaiah was seen embracing Shivakumar, while another showed Shivakumar touching Siddaramaiah’s feet and seeking his blessings. The Karnataka Congress shared the photographs with a message emphasizing that unity is their strength. 

During the press conference, Siddaramaiah reflected emotionally on his political journey, expressing gratitude to the Congress leadership for the opportunity to serve the seven crore people of Karnataka for two terms as chief minister and twice as the leader of the opposition. He specifically thanked Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge for their support. 

Expressing deep appreciation for party workers, leaders, legislators, and MPs, he acknowledged their consistent love and support since 2006. He also extended his heartfelt gratitude to his cabinet colleagues for their immense cooperation and affection during his tenures from 2013 to 2018 and from 2023 until now, adding that he would remain forever indebted to them. 

A legacy of social justice and financial stability 

The veteran leader reflected on his humble origins as a villager, stating that he never imagined rising to become an MLA, leader of the opposition, and ultimately the chief minister. Coming from a family with no political background, he described his ascent to the top post as accidental. He emphasized that since entering politics, his core beliefs have been rooted in the teachings of Buddha, Basavanna, Babasaheb Ambedkar, and Mahatma Gandhi, striving for a society that lives like a family with complete social and economic equality. 

Defending his government’s welfare agenda and financial management, Siddaramaiah asserted that his administration focused heavily on social justice and equality during both his terms. He proudly noted that his government had successfully fulfilled 158 out of the 165 promises made in the Congress manifesto. 

He also highlighted the swift implementation of the Congress government’s five guarantee schemes within their first year in office, effectively countering criticisms from opposition parties and prime minister Narendra Modi. He dismissed the opposition's false allegations that the guarantee schemes would become a financial burden or drastically increase the state’s borrowings. 

Rejecting any concerns regarding Karnataka’s fiscal health, Siddaramaiah maintained that the state’s finances remain completely sound, pointing out that the state’s fiscal deficit is strictly under control at 2.95%, well within the 3% limit. 

Sources within the Congress indicated that Siddaramaiah eventually agreed to resign after the message was conveyed directly by Rahul Gandhi. The outgoing chief minister had repeatedly maintained in recent months that he would step down if asked to do so by the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha. 

With Siddaramaiah’s resignation, Shivakumar is now widely expected to formally stake his claim to form the next government once the governor completes the constitutional process and the Congress legislature party elects its new leader.