K’taka CM Siddaramaiah may resign tomorrow, claims report:Ministers called for breakfast meet; Cong may appoint DK Shivakumar as CM

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah may resign on Thursday, with the Congress party possibly appointing Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar as his replacement. Both leaders held a six-hour meeting with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Tuesday. According to Dainik Bhaskar sources, Rahul Gandhi asked Siddaramaiah during the meeting to step down as Chief Minister and offered to send him to the Rajya Sabha. He also reportedly asked him to take on an important national role in Delhi. Media reports said that after speaking with some supporters, Siddaramaiah agreed to accept the party high command’s decision. He has called ministers for a breakfast meeting on Thursday morning and may resign the same day. However, Party General Secretary (Organisation) Venugopal, who attended the meeting, earlier dismissed the reports. He said, “The speculations are only speculations. There is no truth in them. The meeting discussed Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council (MLC) elections.” The leadership tussle over the Chief Minister’s post in the Karnataka Congress has been continuing for the past year. Supporters of DK Shivakumar claim that in 2023, the party leadership had proposed a power-sharing formula of two-and-a-half years each. CM said – I will not work under Shivakumar According to sources, Siddaramaiah had initially refused to resign. He reportedly told the party leadership that if he was removed, the party could split, as 50–60 MLAs might leave with him. He also said that he would not work under DK Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah’s son can become a minister According to sources, Congress wants to prepare afresh for the 2028 Assembly elections. The leadership is aware that most MLAs support Siddaramaiah, who is also the party’s only OBC Chief Minister. Because of this, the party wants to handle any leadership change carefully to protect Siddaramaiah’s standing and avoid any rebellion. Following a formula earlier used by the BJP in Bihar, Siddaramaiah’s son may also be offered a ministerial post. Siddaramaiah has reportedly asked for time to consider the proposal, although sources say he may resign this week. According to sources, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra supported a leadership change in Karnataka and was also present at Tuesday’s meeting. Karnataka Assembly elections are due in 2028, by which time Siddaramaiah will be 80 years old. By changing the leadership, the party also hopes to reduce anti-incumbency sentiment. Shivakumar said, ‘It is necessary to go to Delhi’ After arriving in Delhi on Monday night, Siddaramaiah said, “I came because the high command called me. I do not know the agenda of the meeting. Venugopal informed me about the time and date.” Before leaving for Delhi, Shivakumar said, “In some situations, it becomes necessary to go to Delhi, and that is why I am going.” Speculation mounts as Karnataka CM completes 2.5 years in office Tensions over the chief minister’s post continue between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in Karnataka. MLAs supporting Shivakumar claim that when the Congress government was formed in 2023, an agreement was made to share the chief minister’s post for two-and-a-half years each. However, Siddaramaiah’s supporters have repeatedly denied such an arrangement. The Congress government in Karnataka completed two-and-a-half years in office on November 20, 2025. Some MLAs seen as supporters of Deputy CM DK Shivakumar travelled to Delhi and met Kharge. According to sources, Siddaramaiah supports a cabinet reshuffle, while Shivakumar wants the party to first decide on leadership change. There is also a view within party circles that if the high command approves a cabinet expansion, it could indicate Siddaramaiah will continue for the full five-year term, reducing Shivakumar’s chances of becoming Chief Minister. November 2025: Shivakumar said – I cannot always remain the Congress State President Shivakumar said, “Five and a half years have passed, and it will become six years in March. Other leaders should also get an opportunity now.” However, he reassured party workers, saying, “I will remain in leadership. Do not worry, I will stay on the frontline. Whether I hold the position or not does not matter. My effort is to build 100 party offices during my tenure.” December 2025: Siddaramaiah said – Shivakumar will become CM when the high command decides After about 20 days of tussle, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah had said that when the high command says, Shivakumar will be made the Chief Minister. He had said this in response to a question related to ‘when will Shivakumar be made CM’. Siddaramaiah had said that there are no differences between us and both are running the state government unitedly.