Sources say Siddaramaiah signalled intent to step down; DK Shivakumar named possible successor amid party talks

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to step down, with party sources and officials pointing to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar as the leading candidate to succeed him. State and party circles were abuzz on Thursday after Siddaramaiah reportedly informed his Cabinet colleagues of his decision during a morning meeting, even as the Congress maintained there was no official announcement.

Breakfast meeting update
Officials who attended a breakfast meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence said Siddaramaiah called ministers early on Thursday. Photographs released by the Chief Minister’s Office showed an emotional exchange between the two leaders — one image captured Siddaramaiah hugging Shivakumar, while another showed Shivakumar touching the Chief Minister’s feet and seeking his blessings. Local aides described the scene as reflective of a consensual transition, though no formal resignation had been filed with the Governor as of late evening.

Party sources speak
“Discussions have been underway for some time,” a senior Congress functionary in Bengaluru told reporters on condition of anonymity. “Siddaramaiah was asked to consider a larger national role and a Rajya Sabha seat. He has indicated willingness to make way, but final formalities are pending.” Sources close to the party high command said meetings in Delhi earlier this week — involving Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi — centred on future strategy and possible reshuffles.

Who is D.K. Shivakumar?
Doddalahalli Kempegowda Shivakumar, 64, popularly known as DKS, has been Deputy Chief Minister since May 2023 and is widely regarded inside Congress as an organisational troubleshooter. An MLA since 1989, Shivakumar represents Kanakapura and has handled portfolios such as Water Resources, Bengaluru Development and Town Planning since 2023. He served as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president and has held several ministerial roles over three decades.

Resort raid background
Shivakumar’s political career has also been marked by controversies that have at times dogged the party. The most notable was the 2017 Income Tax raid linked to Eagleton Resort in Bengaluru, where he sheltered 44 Gujarat Congress MLAs during a crisis. Reports then said unaccounted cash was seized from premises tied to the episode; the matter later attracted legal scrutiny and allegations of political targeting. Shivakumar has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in public statements, and his supporters say those episodes stemmed from partisan attacks.

Balance of power inside Congress
The leadership change debate has resurfaced as the Siddaramaiah government crossed the two-and-a-half-year mark last November. Shivakumar’s backers argue a power-sharing understanding was part of the 2023 arrangement, while Siddaramaiah’s camp rejects any fixed deal. Some party leaders have floated a Bihar-style arrangement — a mid-term switch with Siddaramaiah moving to a national role — as a compromise to balance state and organisational interests.

Ground reaction and public impact
In Bengaluru and parts of southern Karnataka, business leaders and civic groups followed developments with interest given Shivakumar’s role in urban and infrastructure portfolios. “Any leadership change will have implications for ongoing projects and administrative continuity,” said a Bengaluru-based urban planner, requesting anonymity. Street-level reactions varied; supporters of both leaders circulated messages on social media framing the move as a necessary renewal or as a betrayal, depending on their loyalties.

Official line and next steps
Publicly, Congress leaders sought to downplay the rumour mill on Thursday. General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and other party spokespeople said discussions were routine and related to upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. “No final decision has been taken,” Venugopal told reporters. The Governor’s office did not receive a resignation letter by nightfall, and no formal change of guard was announced.

Outlook
If Siddaramaiah formally resigns, party insiders say the process to install a new chief minister could proceed swiftly given Shivakumar’s organisational clout and legislative strength. However, final endorsement from the Congress high command and a formal resignation to the Governor remain essential steps. For now, Karnataka watches as a likely transition plays out — one that could reshape state politics ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Nitish Kumar Resigns as MLC After Rajya Sabha Win

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar formally resigns from the Legislative Council following his election to the Rajya Sabha, triggering fresh political realignments in the state.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday resigned as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), ending his long association with the state legislature after being elected to the Rajya Sabha earlier this month. Senior JD(U) leaders Vijay Chaudhary and MLC Sanjay Gandhi submitted the resignation letter, which ran into just 29 words, to Legislative Council Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh at the secretariat in Patna.

The development came hours after the 14-day constitutional window for vacating one of the two seats drew to a close. Kumar, who secured a Rajya Sabha berth in the biennial elections held on March 16, had to choose between continuing in the state council or moving to Parliament. As per constitutional provisions, no public representative can simultaneously hold membership in both a state legislature and either House of Parliament.

Procedural Requirement

Minister Vijay Chaudhary clarified that the resignation was a routine constitutional step. “CM has been elected as a Rajya Sabha member. This is a procedural requirement, and he had to resign today,” he told reporters. The move was executed smoothly through representatives, with no personal appearance by the Chief Minister at the council secretariat.

Uncertainty Over Nitin Nabin Ends

In a parallel development, suspense over BJP national president Nitin Nabin’s resignation also lifted. The senior BJP leader, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha alongside Kumar, had submitted his resignation from the Bihar Assembly to state party president Sanjay Sarawagi on Sunday following directions from the national leadership. His formal submission to the Assembly Speaker is expected shortly.

Both leaders were among the five NDA candidates who swept the Rajya Sabha polls in Bihar on March 16, with the alliance securing all seats up for grabs. Nitish Kumar and Nitin Nabin each polled 44 votes, while other winners included Union Minister Ramnath Thakur and Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha.

Background of the Transition

Nitish Kumar’s decision to contest the Rajya Sabha polls marked a significant shift after more than two decades as Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister. He had expressed a long-held desire to experience membership across different legislative forums, having previously served as an MLA, MLC, and Lok Sabha MP. His current MLC term was slated to continue until 2030.

The Rajya Sabha election results had set the stage for this transition, with the NDA demonstrating strong unity in the Upper House polls despite boycott calls and low participation from the opposition Mahagathbandhan.

Political Implications

The resignation paves the way for Nitish Kumar to take oath as a Rajya Sabha member soon. It also intensifies speculation about leadership changes in Bihar, as he is widely expected to step down from the Chief Minister’s post in the coming days to comply fully with constitutional norms. Under Article 164(4) of the Constitution, a Chief Minister who is not a member of the state legislature has a six-month window to get elected, but the dual-membership rule has now forced the immediate MLC exit.

JD(U) leaders had reportedly urged Kumar to reconsider staying on as CM, but he remained firm on following due process. The development has triggered quiet discussions within the NDA about a possible successor, with names like Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary doing the rounds in political circles.

Impact on State Politics

For Bihar, the move signals the end of an era dominated by Nitish Kumar’s stewardship marked by his focus on infrastructure, women’s empowerment, and prohibition policies. His shift to national politics could reshape the state’s governance dynamics while allowing him greater influence at the Centre through the Rajya Sabha.

The simultaneous exit of Nitin Nabin from the Assembly seat in Bankipur further opens up possibilities for bypolls and local-level adjustments within the BJP.

What Lies Ahead

With both resignations now in motion, attention turns to the swearing-in of the new Rajya Sabha members and the unfolding succession process in Bihar. The state Assembly and Legislative Council, which were on recess, reconvened amid these transitions, setting the stage for further political activity in the days ahead.

The developments are being closely watched as they could influence the balance within the NDA alliance and the broader political landscape in Bihar ahead of future electoral cycles.