Karnataka CM News Live Updates: Protests erupt across Karnataka after Siddaramaiah resigns as CM

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah informed his ministers about his decision to step down during the breakfast meeting held at his Bengaluru residence.

The development comes amid intense speculation over a leadership transition in the Congress government, with deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed Siddaramaiah.

Senior Congress leaders and ministers had gathered at the chief minister’s official residence ‘Kaveri’ earlier in the day as discussions over the state’s political future gained momentum.

The BJP leader accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of hypocrisy over his outreach to backward class communities, claiming the party was sidelining an OBC chief minister despite publicly advocating for OBC representation.

“He has been campaigning for OBC and has removed an OBC chief minister himself. His crocodile tears for backward class has been exposed,” Bommai alleged.

He further claimed that backward class communities were disappointed with the Congress and could respond politically in the next Assembly elections.

“They are disappointed and are reacting very sharply and saying that they are going to teach a lesson in the next general election in 2028,” he added.

BJP MP and former Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj S Bommai said a possible removal of chief minister Siddaramaiah would negatively impact the Congress politically and trigger backlash from backward class communities in the state.

Speaking amid ongoing speculation over a leadership change in Karnataka, Bommai alleged that replacing Siddaramaiah would be viewed as a betrayal of OBC communities by the Congress leadership.

“It will have impact on Congress party as well as in electoral politics of Karnataka. Especially the backward classes will go against the Congress and it is a betrayal of backward classes by Congress party, especially Rahul Gandhi,” Bommai said.

The BJP leader alleged that Karnataka was facing severe financial distress under the Congress government and claimed there had been no meaningful development in the state.

“Karnataka is already in a financial distress. There is no development. Farmers are in great distress. Unemployment, youths are very unhappy with the Congress government. Only guarantee... the Congress feels only because of the guarantee they will survive,” Vijayendra said.

He further claimed that several sections of society were unhappy with the ruling government and argued that a mere leadership change would not improve governance in the state.

Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra criticised the Congress leadership amid speculation over a possible change in the state’s chief minister, asserting that Karnataka’s interests would not be protected regardless of who takes charge.

Speaking to ANI, Vijayendra claimed that the Congress high command had already decided on a leadership change and said chief minister Siddaramaiah was “expected to resign today”.

“Congress high command has already decided to change the leadership in Karnataka. Siddaramaiah is bound to resign, and is expected to resign today. But whoever becomes the chief minister, the financial crisis that has been created because of the three years Congress government’s tenure, I don't think any chief minister would be able to address this issue,” he said.

Amid intense speculation that Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah may resign to pave the way for deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar to take over, Lok Bhavan officials on Thursday said the CM has not yet sought time to meet governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.

The clarification came a day after top sources in the chief minister’s office indicated that Siddaramaiah had sought an appointment with the Governor for Thursday.

Officials at Lok Bhavan said Governor Gehlot is currently in his hometown Indore in Madhya Pradesh. “His Excellency is not here. There is no such information. As of now, there is no such message or information,” a senior Lok Bhavan official said when asked whether Siddaramaiah had requested a meeting.

The official added that Siddaramaiah would have to meet the Governor once he returns. Responding to a query on whether the chief minister could submit his resignation to the Lok Bhavan secretary instead, the official said it was procedurally possible.

“Yes. Then, when His Excellency arrives, he will confirm it. His Excellency may again ask him to come and submit it in person, depending on the procedure,” the official said.

The BJP intensified its attack on the Karnataka government amid the Congress leadership crisis, accusing the ruling party of paralysing governance because of internal rivalry between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. Karnataka LoP and BJP leader R Ashoka alleged that the ongoing “chair fight” between the two Congress leaders had damaged administration in the state. “G Parameshwara, the state Home Minister, is now saying that there is no administration in Karnataka.

For the last year, there has been no administration because of the chair fight between the CM and the deputy CM. There is no governance. Every year, they are taking more than Rs 1 lakh crore in loans,” Ashoka said in Hassan. The BJP has repeatedly accused the Congress government of being distracted by internal power struggles while key governance issues remain unresolved.

Responding to the question of possibility of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah moving to the Rajya Sabha, state home minister G Parameshwara said any decision regarding a possible role for the senior Congress leader in national politics would be taken by the party high command.

Talking to the reporters Parameshwara said he was not aware of any such proposal.

“Now, this is all, these decisions have to be taken by the high command. So, at this point of time, I am not aware whether he was offered a position in Delhi. It is up to the high command,” he said.

Karnataka minister G Parameshwara ahead of the breakfast meeting hosted by chief minister Siddaramaiah said that the CM has invited the leader to thank them for their cooperation ahead of his expected resignation.

“The chief minister has called all the ministers for breakfast and before he resigns, he wants to thank all the ministers for their cooperation,” Parameshwara told reporters.

Responding to speculation about Siddaramaiah potentially being offered a role in Delhi, the minister said, “I am not aware whether he was offered a position in Delhi; it is up to the high command.”

His remarks came amid heightened political activity in Karnataka and growing speculation over a possible leadership transition in the Congress government.

Congress MLA Basavaraj Rayareddy said party leaders would abide by whatever decision the Congress high command takes amid intensifying speculation over political developments in Karnataka.

Speaking to reporters after arriving at chief minister Siddaramaiah’s residence in Bengaluru for a breakfast meeting, Rayareddy said, “Whatever the party decides, we will follow it. I have come for the breakfast. I know that the Government is not there, so let us see the developments.”

His remarks came as senior Congress leaders gathered at Siddaramaiah’s residence amid growing buzz over a possible leadership transition in the state government.

Supporters of deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar distributed sweets outside his Bengaluru residence as they gathered outside amid speculation that he could become the next chief minister of Karnataka.

The celebrations came as Congress leaders gathered for crucial discussions on the state’s political leadership.

Former Bengaluru mayor R Sampath Raj was among the leaders seen arriving at Shivakumar’s residence. At the same time, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah convened a breakfast meeting with Congress leaders in Bengaluru.

Amid speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar arrived at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s official residence ‘Kaveri’ in Bengaluru on Thursday for a breakfast meeting with senior Congress leaders.

Several Karnataka ministers, including Priyank Kharge, KJ George, MB Patil, Ramalinga Reddy and HK Patil, were also seen arriving at the residence amid tight security arrangements.

Talks of a possible leadership transition in Karnataka have resurfaced in recent months despite repeated denials from the Congress leadership.

Speculation over DK Shivakumar’s elevation intensified after the Congress government completed half of its tenure, with party sources indicating that another round of discussions is expected before a final decision is taken. The Congress government in Karnataka has now completed three years in office.

The Congress leadership appears inclined towards a change and has reportedly conveyed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to pave the way for the transition, news agency ANI reported citing sources.

State Congress MLA TB Jayachandra said any decision regarding Karnataka’s leadership would be taken strictly according to the directions of the party high command.

“Any development which is happening in Karnataka is as per the directions of the High Command only. Yesterday, there was a big marathon meeting. A lot of issues have been discussed. Accordingly, they will do it tomorrow,” Jayachandra told ANI.

The remarks came after senior Karnataka Congress leaders held discussions with the party leadership in New Delhi earlier this week.

Speculation over a possible leadership transition in Karnataka has intensified after the Congress government completed three years in office and crossed the halfway mark of its tenure.

Earlier this week, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar met senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, in New Delhi.

However, Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal dismissed reports of a leadership change, saying the meetings were focused on upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections in Karnataka.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah’s legal advisor AS Ponnanna hinted at a possible leadership change amid growing speculation over a possible leadership change in the Congress government in the state.

“There are some changes on the cards. We cannot deny it. We cannot shut our eyes to that. But what transpires, how it transpires, what is going to happen, what is the nature of the change, we have to wait and watch,” Ponnanna told reporters.

The possible leadership transition marks the culmination of a long-running power struggle between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar that began immediately after the Congress’s 2023 Karnataka assembly victory.

Shivakumar, who played a key organisational role in the election campaign, had strongly staked claim to the chief minister’s post after the results. The Congress eventually chose Siddaramaiah as CM while appointing Shivakumar as deputy chief minister and state party president. Reports at the time suggested a compromise based on a rotational chief minister formula, though the party never officially confirmed it.

Over the past three years, supporters of Shivakumar repeatedly demanded implementation of the arrangement. The current developments indicate that the Congress high command may now be moving towards honouring that understanding while simultaneously trying to preserve party unity and prevent internal rebellion.

Senior Karnataka Congress leaders began arriving at chief minister Siddaramaiah’s residence in Bengaluru on Thursday for a breakfast meeting convened by the CM.

The meeting comes amid indications of a major political transition in the state, with Siddaramaiah expected to resign, potentially paving the way for deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar to take over as the next chief minister. The development follows months of speculation over a reported rotational chief minister formula within the ruling Congress government and marathon discussions between Karnataka leaders and the party high command in Delhi.

Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar appears set to finally secure Karnataka’s top post after years of political negotiations and speculation surrounding a reported rotational chief minister formula within the Congress. Shivakumar’s supporters have long insisted that he was promised the CM’s chair after two-and-a-half years when the Congress formed the government in 2023.

The latest developments followed sustained pressure from the Shivakumar camp during discussions with the Congress high command in Delhi. Although the party has not officially confirmed a leadership change, Shivakumar is expected to attend Siddaramaiah’s breakfast meeting before the chief minister meets the governor. Congress insiders say the transition is being managed carefully to avoid internal rebellion and maintain stability in the state government. The development has intensified political activity in Bengaluru, with MLAs and ministers closely watching the next steps of the Congress leadership.

Amid intensifying speculation over a leadership change in Karnataka, deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar’s push for the chief minister’s post reportedly gained momentum after intervention from Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, sources told TOI. Shivakumar is learnt to have struggled in recent months to directly convince Rahul Gandhi over the reported rotational chief minister arrangement under which he was expected to take over midway through the Congress government’s tenure. Sources said Shivakumar subsequently reached out to Priyanka Gandhi, who then persuaded Rahul Gandhi and Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi to consider his claim to the top post.

Senior Congress MLA RV Deshpande said Siddaramaiah had already informed colleagues about his decision even as several ministers and legislators urged him not to resign. Sources added that while Rahul Gandhi reportedly offered Siddaramaiah a Rajya Sabha berth and a larger national role, the 77-year-old leader is reluctant to shift to Delhi politics. Before stepping down, Siddaramaiah is expected to address the media after a breakfast meeting with cabinet colleagues, which Shivakumar is also expected to attend.

The Congress leadership transition gathered pace after marathon discussions in Delhi involving Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi’s close aides and senior Karnataka leaders. Siddaramaiah remained guarded over the developments, saying only, “I will speak everything tomorrow,” after paying floral tributes to Jawaharlal Nehru at Vidhana Soudha. State home minister G. Parameshwara and PWD minister Satish Jarkiholi said clarity would emerge only after an official announcement.

Barring a last-minute surprise, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah is expected to resign on Thursday, potentially paving the way for deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar to become the next chief minister after nearly three years of internal power tussle within the Congress. Sources said Siddaramaiah has sought time to meet governor Thaawarchand Gehlot later in the day. The move would mark the end of Siddaramaiah’s second tenure as CM, during which he surpassed the record of former chief minister D Devaraj Urs in terms of time served. Congress leaders, however, have maintained official silence on Shivakumar’s elevation. The possible transition follows marathon meetings in Delhi involving Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala. The Congress high command is reportedly keen on a smooth transition to avoid factional instability ahead of future elections.

As part of the transition discussions, the Congress leadership has reportedly offered Siddaramaiah a Rajya Sabha berth along with a larger national role within the party. Sources said Rahul Gandhi personally urged the 77-year-old leader to consider shifting to Delhi politics to strengthen the Congress nationally, especially among OBC communities. However, Siddaramaiah is believed to be reluctant about moving away from Karnataka politics despite the offer. With June 8 being the final date for Rajya Sabha nominations, Congress leaders are expected to continue persuading him over the coming days. Party insiders say the leadership views Siddaramaiah as a crucial national figure whose social engineering strategies and OBC appeal could benefit the Congress at a broader level. The negotiations are also aimed at ensuring a smooth leadership transition in Karnataka without provoking resentment among Siddaramaiah loyalists.

AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala arrived in Bengaluru on Wednesday evening as the Congress leadership transition gathered pace. Surjewala is expected to oversee consultations with state leaders and coordinate the next steps of the possible change of guard. Despite intense speculation, he maintained that the Congress had not yet called a legislature party meeting and that “no other decision has been taken yet.” His visit follows marathon discussions in Delhi involving Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. Party insiders say the central leadership is attempting to carefully manage the transition to avoid any rebellion within the Karnataka Congress. Surjewala’s presence is also being viewed as an effort to maintain communication with various factions within the party as the leadership crisis enters a decisive stage.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah is set to host a key breakfast meeting for cabinet colleagues at his official residence ‘Kaveri’ in Bengaluru amid intense speculation over his resignation and a possible leadership change in Karnataka. Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, who returned to Bengaluru late Wednesday, is expected to attend the breakfast gathering. Political observers are closely watching the meeting for signals regarding the Congress high command’s final decision. Sources said the breakfast could be followed by Siddaramaiah’s resignation meeting with governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and a later press conference. The meeting comes after high-level Congress deliberations in Delhi involving Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala. The optics of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar sharing a public platform at a crucial political moment are being viewed as an attempt to project unity amid the ongoing transition talks.

Karnataka LoP and BJP leader R. Ashoka intensified attacks on the Congress government, alleging an administrative breakdown due to the ongoing “chair fight” between CM Siddaramaiah and deputy CM D. K. Shivakumar amid speculation over a possible leadership change in the state.

“G Parameshwara, the state Home Minister, is now saying that there is no administration in Karnataka. For the last year, there has been no administration because of the chair fight between the CM and the Deputy CM. There is no governance. Every year, they are taking more than Rs 1 lakh crore in loans,” Ashoka told reporters in Hassan.

His remarks came ahead of a scheduled breakfast meeting between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the chief minister’s official residence in Bengaluru, which has fuelled fresh political speculation despite Congress leaders dismissing reports of any leadership transition as “speculation”.

Amid speculation that he will step down, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to host a crucial breakfast meeting for his cabinet colleagues on Thursday morning, official sources said.

The urgency of the situation was highlighted by a last-minute change to Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s tour plan. Initially scheduled to return to Bengaluru this afternoon, Shivakumar revised his tour plan to leave Delhi early Thursday morning to attend the breakfast meeting at the CM's official residence here.

Speculation is mounting that Siddaramaiah will announce his resignation from the CM's post in a couple of days, mostly on Thursday, to clear the path for Shivakumar.

The development follows the Congress high command reportedly requesting a leadership change in the state and offering Siddaramaiah a central role in the party along with a Rajya Sabha seat.

As per reports, Siddaramaiah has not immediately accepted the central role.

According to PTI sources, Siddaramaiah might have resolved to step down as the message came directly from Rahul Gandhi.

The CM had been repeatedly saying that he would exit if asked by the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

However, the Congress on Tuesday termed as "mere speculation" the talk about any leadership change in Karnataka and asserted that the day-long discussions between the central and state top brass were solely focused on the upcoming elections to the Rajya Sabha and the state legislative council.

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were summoned to Delhi on Tuesday by the party, where there were back-to-back meetings at the Congress headquarters involving Rahul Gandhi, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, party General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah and some of his cabinet colleagues, who had accompanied him to Delhi, returned to Bengaluru late last night.

He held closed-door meetings with Ministers even after arriving here, as per reports.

The CM is scheduled to attend an event on Wednesday to mark the death anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru at the state Congress office and will later pay tributes to the first Prime Minister’s statue at Vidhana Soudha. He has no other official engagements for the rest of the day, as per his schedule.

There are also reports that Venugopal and Surjewala will arrive in Bengaluru soon.

Supporters of Shivakumar have been insisting on his elevation in line with a reported power-sharing agreement with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah when the party won the 2023 Assembly elections.

The leadership tussle within the ruling party had intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.

There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who is also party state president, for the chief minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had then managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy CM.

There were reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.

With inputs from PTI.

The Congress president is set to get another Rajya Sabha term next month and many consider Siddaramaiah to be a strong possibility for LoP to help Congress with the OBC votebase.

According to sources, Rahul’s team also discussed a possible cabinet berth for Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra as part of the negotiations. The possibility of shifting the 77-year-old veteran to RS has gained momentum ahead of elections to four Upper House seats from Karnataka in June. Congress is confident of winning at least three seats.

It is to be seen if the CM quietly agrees to let Shivakumar replace him or puts up resistance that may open the way for a third candidate as a compromise. The Siddaramaiah camp maintained that he is still the overwhelming choice of the legislature party, and he submitted a list of 108 signatures to underline his pre-eminence.

Discussions between chief minister Siddaramaiah, deputy CM DK Shivakumar and Congress party high command in Delhi Tuesday left ministers and aspiring legislators in Karnataka on edge amid growing speculation of a change at the helm.

The govt completed three years in office last week, reviving a buzz over a rotational chief minister arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. Simultaneously, some MLAs began lobbying for ministerial berths, mounting pressure for a cabinet rejig.

Congress high command’s marathon meeting Tuesday over possibly replacing chief minister Siddaramaiah with his deputy DK Shivakumar is being driven by one key concern — avoiding a Rajasthan-like political disaster in Karnataka.

Party brass appears to be working towards a compromise rather than a disruptive transition, keenly aware that mishandling the issue could trigger factional instability and hurt the party in the 2028 assembly elections.

The Congress leadership is moving towards a change of guard in Karnataka. CM Siddaramaiah was Tuesday offered an honourable rehabilitation, including a Rajya Sabha berth, as part of smooth leadership transition in the state. Sources said Siddaramaiah may resign in the next couple of days, and a legislature party meeting could follow. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar is the likely successor to Siddaramaiah.

On a day Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar met the Congress leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and state in-charge Randeep Surjewala over six hours, Rahul is learnt to have asked Siddaramaiah in a one-onone meeting to consider taking up a national role in the party. He was asked to respond within a week.