Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will step down at 3 pm today, paving the way for DK Shivakumar to take over. Sources close to the matter revealed that Siddaramaiah had a crucial meeting with senior cabinet colleagues and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at his official residence in Bengaluru on Thursday morning.
Speculation has been rife about a potential power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar since the Congress formed the government in Karnataka after the 2023 assembly elections. Reports suggested that Siddaramaiah was expected to complete the first half of the term before handing over charge to Shivakumar.
Supporters of Shivakumar gathered outside his Bengaluru residence on Thursday morning, and celebrations were reported in some parts of Karnataka amid expectations that he could soon take over as Chief Minister.
While the Congress leadership has not officially confirmed any change in Karnataka, senior Congress MLA R V Deshpande claimed that Siddaramaiah had 'decided to resign'. AICC general secretary Randeep Surjewala, however, said no decision had yet been taken regarding the leadership issue.
