The protracted battle for Karnataka’s top job appears to have reached a dramatic conclusion, with the Congress central leadership throwing its weight behind DK Shivakumar's claim to the Chief Ministership, according to sources. In a bid to ease the transition, the incumbent Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, has reportedly been offered a Rajya Sabha seat and urged to transition into a prominent national role based out of Delhi. Sources indicate that whilst he has asked for a little time to ponder the offer, he has already discussed the developments with his inner circle and made it clear that he will ultimately bow to the high command's wishes. His formal resignation could come as early as Wednesday.
The major breakthrough follows a marathon six-hour meeting in the capital, after which the party attempted to downplay any talk of a leadership coup. Emerging from the discussions, General Secretary KC Venugopal gave a remarkably brief statement insisting that the talks were strictly confined to upcoming Rajya Sabha and MLC election strategies, warning the press against reading anything further into the sit-down. Despite this official line, wheels are already in motion back in Bengaluru. Siddaramaiah has called a breakfast meeting with his cabinet ministers for Thursday morning, a venue where many expect him to officially announce his departure.
To oversee the delicate transfer of power, Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala is scheduled to land in Bengaluru on Wednesday afternoon. If the transition progresses without any further hitches, a revamped administration under Shivakumar could be sworn in within the week. To mollify the outgoing faction, sources hint that the new setup will likely feature multiple Deputy Chief Ministers, roles specifically earmarked for Siddaramaiah's closest loyalists.
The factional feud has been a constant headache for the Congress high command ever since the party swept to victory in the 2023 assembly elections. Shivakumar's camp has fiercely maintained that a rotating Chief Ministership was explicitly promised by Delhi when he agreed to take the number two spot, on the understanding that he would take the reins after two and a half years. Siddaramaiah, conversely, spent months dug in, arguing that changing horses midstream would completely derail state governance. The impasse deepened late last year when successive face-to-face meetings failed to break the deadlock, leaving Siddaramaiah holding most of the cards with the apparent backing of around 110 MLAs.
Throughout the dispute, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge remained largely detached in public, leaving the final call to Rahul Gandhi and other senior power brokers. The leadership was understandably terrified of upsetting the delicate Ahinda social coalition—comprising minorities, backward classes, and Dalits—which had allowed the party to bypass the traditional Vokkaliga-Lingayat dominance in 2023. Indeed, when the administration hit the two-year mark last November, Delhi opted to maintain the status quo out of fear that a leadership change might trigger an electoral backlash in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
Now that those regional polls have concluded, and with reports suggesting that Shivakumar's patience had entirely run out, the party bosses finally decided to bite the bullet. Even so, local political circles are still hedging their bets, questioning whether Siddaramaiah will genuinely walk away with grace or make a final, behind-the-scenes play to prolong his stay in Bengaluru. A faction of his staunchest supporters is reportedly furious about his decision to capitulate, urging him to weigh every possible alternative before signing his resignation. The Chief Minister is expected to fly back from Delhi late tonight to face a very tense state capital.
Also read: Siddaramaiah-DKS optics begin as Cong meets to decide leadership
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