Speaking at a program in K.R. Pet on Sunday, Siddaramaiah said politics today has become thoroughly corrupted, and that it was in this environment that he had decided not to contest the 2028 polls. He was quick to clarify, however, that stepping back from electoral contests doesn't mean stepping away from politics altogether — he said he intends to keep raising his voice on public issues going forward.

Siddaramaiah, now 79, explained that by the time the current government's term concludes, he would be 81 or 82 years old, and that he no longer carries the same energy he once did for active campaigning. He noted that 2028 would mark 50 years since he entered politics, a journey that began in 1978 when he became a Taluk Board member.

He also addressed pressure from his own constituency, saying voters in Varuna wanted to see him contest one more time. Despite that, he said he had made up his mind not to contest any future election. He reflected on how election dynamics have shifted over the decades, saying that in earlier years, the public used to actively support candidates, but that the environment has since changed — candidates today are expected to spend money to win votes, he said, adding that space for honest politics keeps shrinking, which he cited as a key reason behind his decision.

Siddaramaiah stepped down as Chief Minister on May 28, 2026, with the Karnataka Governor accepting his resignation the following day. D.K. Shivakumar subsequently took over the Chief Minister's post. Sunday's announcement is being read as another significant marker in Siddaramaiah's long political career, coming just two months after his exit from the state's top office.

Congress has not issued an official statement responding to Siddaramaiah's announcement, and it remains to be seen how the party plans to navigate Varuna's leadership question, given the continued public pressure from his own constituency for him to run again.

The Congress leader's swearing-in marks the completion of a power-sharing agreement with Siddaramaiah, who has now been appointed to the party's highest decision-making body

DK Shivakumar will be sworn in as the 24th Chief Minister of Karnataka this evening. The ceremony is scheduled for 4 pm at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru, bringing to a close weeks of speculation over the leadership transition in the state.

The Congress Legislature Party had elected Shivakumar as its leader on 30 May, two days after Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation. Shivakumar now takes over from Siddaramaiah, who served as Chief Minister from 20 May 2023.

Cabinet list awaited

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Shivakumar said the Congress high command would release the list of ministers for the new cabinet either by 10 am or later in the afternoon today. He clarified that names circulating in various media outlets were not official.

The list will be finalised in Delhi and sent to the Raj Bhavan to complete the formalities ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the new cabinet may include Siddaramaiah along with the son of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge. There is also speculation about the appointment of four Deputy Chief Ministers. Around 10 ministers from the current cabinet are expected to be dropped.

Top leaders to attend

Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge are among the senior party leaders expected to be present at Lok Bhavan. Chief Ministers from Congress-ruled states including Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana will also attend. The Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand are likely to be there as well.

Just a day before the swearing-in, the party appointed Siddaramaiah as a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest executive body.

 Power-sharing deal completed

The transition follows a formula worked out after the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, when both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar emerged as contenders for the top post. Under the arrangement, each was to serve as Chief Minister for two and a half years.

Siddaramaiah completed his term in November 2025 but remained in office. According to sources in the Karnataka Congress, Shivakumar was originally supposed to take over from December 2025. However, senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi were occupied with election preparations in Kerala, causing the delay.

Siddaramaiah had met Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and KC Venugopal in Delhi on 24 May, where he was asked to resign. He requested 48 hours and stepped down on 28 May.

 Shivakumar's profile

The incoming Chief Minister, born in 1962 in Kanakapura near Bengaluru, is the MLA from Kanakapura and belongs to the influential Vokkaliga community. Within the Congress party, he is known as a leader who prevents MLAs from defecting and as a key strategist managing financial and logistical support for major operations.

Shivakumar is among the richest politicians in the country with assets worth over ₹1,413 crore, involved in real estate, mining, and hospitality businesses. His election affidavit lists only a Toyota Qualis car. He also has debts of around ₹263 crore.

There are more than 19 criminal cases registered against him. The ED is investigating him in two money laundering cases. Following IT raids at his residence in 2017, officials reportedly recovered ₹8.5 crore. He was arrested in 2019 in the same case and spent 50 days in Tihar Jail. The CBI is also probing a disproportionate assets case against him.

The Karnataka CLP is set to meet today to formally elect D.K. Shivakumar as the new leader following Siddaramaiah's resignation

In a swift sequence of political developments on Saturday morning, Karnataka Congress President and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at Raj Bhavan for an informal discussion. The meeting took place just hours before the scheduled Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting, where the formal election of the state's next Chief Minister is on the cards.

Accompanied by his brother and former Congress MP D.K. Suresh, Shivakumar’s visit to Lok Bhavan is being viewed as a preparatory step to discuss the upcoming government formation logistics. Sources close to the development indicated that since Governor Gehlot is expected to travel out of Bengaluru later in the day, the informal meeting helped align schedules for the official oath-taking process.

Stage set at Vidhana Soudha

The crucial CLP meeting, scheduled for 4:00 PM today at the conference hall in Vidhana Soudha, will be chaired by outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The gathering is largely seen as a formality to rubber-stamp the decision of the Congress high command, which positioned Shivakumar as the definitive successor to Siddaramaiah.

AICC General Secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala are also expected to attend the session to oversee the transition. The party’s 136 MLAs have been issued a strict directive to remain present in the state capital to sign the letters of support that will subsequently be submitted to the Governor.

Factional balancing and cabinet composition

While Shivakumar's election to the top post is secure, intensive lobbying has begun behind the scenes regarding the composition of the new cabinet. Outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who returned from New Delhi late Friday night after meetings with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, is expected to push hard for his loyalists to retain prime portfolios.

Speculation is also rife regarding the induction of Siddaramaiah's son, Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, into the new council of ministers. Responding to queries about potential cabinet berths, senior leader Priyank Kharge remarked, "The CLP will decide the leader first, and then that will be sent to the Governor. Everything will be left to the wisdom of the CLP and the high command." Congress leader Bilkis Bano added that if the high command decides, the youth representation, including Yathindra, will be accommodated.

A long-awaited power transition

The transition comes after Siddaramaiah tendered his resignation on Thursday, May 28, terminating months of internal deliberation over a rotational power-sharing formula. The agreement, originally brokered during the government formation in May 2023, called for a leadership change after two and a half years.

Shivakumar’s supporters had been exerting subtle pressure for the handover since late last year. In an emotional social media post following the resignation, Shivakumar expressed his gratitude to Siddaramaiah, writing, "If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together. I look forward to carrying this journey forward together for the people of Karnataka."

Opposition mounts corruption offensive

Meanwhile, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack on the ruling dispensation, terms the leadership change a cosmetic exercise that will not change the administrative ground reality.

"There may be a change in leadership, but the truth is that this is a super-corrupt government," alleged Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council. "The people of Karnataka are completely fed up because developmental works have come to a total standstill across the state during this transition."

Swearing-in timelines under review

With the CLP meeting expected to wrap up by Saturday evening, the focus will shift entirely to the oath-taking ceremony. Astrological consultations and the availability of senior leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are reportedly dictating the final choice of date.

Initial reports indicate that tentative preparations are underway near the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha, with the ceremony likely to take place on Monday, June 1, or Wednesday next week. Once the CLP formally passes the resolution, a delegation led by Shivakumar will meet the Governor tonight to stake a formal claim to form the next government.

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.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced his resignation on Thursday, clearing the path for Deputy CM DK Shivakumar to assume leadership of the Congress government in the state.

Breakfast Meeting Confirms Transition

Siddaramaiah informed his cabinet colleagues about the decision during a breakfast meeting at his official Bengaluru residence this morning. Law Minister H K Patil confirmed that ministers present at the gathering approved Shivakumar's name as the successor.

The outgoing Chief Minister is scheduled to visit Lok Bhavan at 2:30 PM to submit his resignation papers, followed by a press conference at 3 PM. Visuals from the breakfast meeting showed Shivakumar touching Siddaramaiah's feet in a traditional gesture, after which the two leaders embraced—images that political circles interpreted as a signal of unity within the Congress.

Governor Out of Bengaluru

Siddaramaiah had sought an appointment with Governor Thawarchand Gehlot to formally tender his resignation. However, officials confirmed the Governor is currently in Indore due to personal reasons. Under constitutional provisions, the Chief Minister can submit his resignation in writing to Raj Bhavan officials even in the Governor's absence. Siddaramaiah will remain in office until the resignation is formally accepted.

 The 2.5-Year Formula Takes Effect

Speculation over a leadership change has shadowed the Karnataka Congress ever since it formed government in May 2023. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were strong contenders for the top post at the time. According to party insiders, Rahul Gandhi and the high command brokered an informal rotational arrangement—Siddaramaiah would serve the first half of the term, and Shivakumar would take over after two-and-a-half years.

Though Siddaramaiah's supporters repeatedly denied any formal agreement, the Shivakumar camp consistently maintained the deal existed. The government completed two-and-a-half years in November 2025, after which pressure from Shivakumar's faction intensified. A six-hour meeting in Delhi on May 26 finalised the transition plan.

 Major Cabinet Reshuffle Expected

The leadership change is likely to trigger a significant cabinet overhaul. Sources indicate 15 to 20 ministers could be dropped or replaced. Discussions are underway regarding two Deputy Chief Minister posts to balance caste and regional equations—one position may go to a Dalit leader, another to a Lingayat or OBC face. Siddaramaiah's son is also expected to be accommodated in the new cabinet.

 BJP Launches Attack

The opposition BJP quickly criticised the Congress over the developments. State BJP president BY Vijayendra claimed internal infighting had paralysed governance and accused the Siddaramaiah government of pushing Karnataka into heavy debt. The BJP has repeatedly attacked the Congress over leadership speculation since 2023, arguing the state government remained distracted by power struggles.

The Congress Legislature Party is expected to meet on Friday to formally elect Shivakumar as its leader before staking claim to form the new government.

Congress high command pushes leadership change amid power-sharing buzz

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to resign on Thursday, paving the way for Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to take over the top post, according to multiple sources. The move comes after a marathon meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Tuesday.

The development marks a significant shift in Karnataka politics, ending months of speculation over the leadership tussle between the two senior Congress leaders.

High Command Meeting Lasts Over Six Hours

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar arrived in the national capital on Monday night and held discussions lasting nearly six hours with the party high command. Sources indicated that Rahul Gandhi urged Siddaramaiah to step down and offered him a Rajya Sabha seat along with an important national role in Delhi.

The Chief Minister, who initially showed reluctance, is understood to have eventually agreed to the party's decision after consultations with his supporters. He has reportedly called his ministers for a breakfast meeting on Thursday morning, where the resignation is likely to be formalised.

Venugopal Dismisses Speculation

However, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal, who was present in the meeting, downplayed the reports. "The speculations are only speculations. There is no truth in them. The meeting discussed Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections," he said.

Despite the official denial, ground reports and sources close to the developments suggest a clear push for change.

Power-Sharing Formula Comes into Play

The leadership churn traces back to the 2023 assembly elections when Congress formed the government in Karnataka. Supporters of DK Shivakumar have long claimed an informal understanding of a two-and-a-half-year power-sharing formula. The government completed 2.5 years in November 2025, intensifying the demand for a transition.

Siddaramaiah, the party's prominent OBC face and AHINDA leader, has enjoyed strong support among a large section of MLAs. Sources say he had earlier warned that any forced removal could lead to a split, with 50-60 legislators potentially backing him. He is also believed to have stated that he would not work under Shivakumar.

Strategy for 2028 Polls

Congress appears keen to manage the transition carefully to avoid rebellion and prepare for the 2028 assembly elections. Siddaramaiah will turn 80 by then, and the party hopes a fresh face could help counter anti-incumbency. There are indications that Siddaramaiah's son could be accommodated in the cabinet as part of the settlement.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also understood to have backed the leadership change during the Delhi meeting.

Mixed Reactions Within Party

The power tussle has been simmering for over a year. While Shivakumar's camp points to the rotational arrangement, Siddaramaiah's loyalists have consistently denied any such deal. In recent months, both leaders maintained a public show of unity even as differences persisted on cabinet expansion and other issues.

Shivakumar, a powerful Vokkaliga leader credited with strengthening the party organisation, has positioned himself as the natural successor. Siddaramaiah, on the other hand, has been credited with several welfare initiatives during his tenure.

As of Wednesday evening, the situation remained fluid. A Congress Legislature Party meeting is expected soon after the resignation to formally elect the new leader.

Political observers note that the change could bring new energy to the government but also carries risks of internal unrest if not handled delicately. Karnataka remains crucial for Congress in the south, and the party will be keen to ensure stability ahead of future electoral battles.

The coming days are likely to witness hectic political activity in Bengaluru as the transition unfolds.