Shivakumar set for coronation as Siddaramaiah gets ready to resign

Siddaramaiah to host Cabinet colleagues for breakfast, followed by his resignation

Bengaluru/New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to step down on Thursday, paving the way for his deputy D K Shivakumar to succeed him, though the sudden turn of events has left the incumbent's supporters with a bitter aftertaste.

On Thursday morning, Siddaramaiah is scheduled to host his Cabinet colleagues for breakfast. Later, he may head to Lok Bhavan and tender his resignation. There is no clarity on when the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting will be convened to elect the next chief minister.

"Siddaramaiah may resign after 3 pm," said Government Chief Whip Ashok Pattan, who is aspiring to become a minister in the new government.

However, Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, who arrived here Wednesday ostensibly to oversee the transition, maintained that "no decision has yet been taken" and no CLP meeting is scheduled. "As things evolve, we’ll inform you. Please don’t speculate," he said.

On Tuesday, top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked the CM to resign, with the party high command deciding to enforce a power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

While the names of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Home Minister G Parameshwara — both Dalits -- were discussed, the party chose Shivakumar, sources said. Shivakumar was backed by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra, with the support of Sonia Gandhi and Kharge.

During the day, ministers and lawmakers close to Siddaramaiah urged him not to resign in a huff. However, Siddaramaiah appeared subdued. "Some of us expressed our sense of concern. But [Siddaramaiah] was totally silent," Law & Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said.

While Siddaramaiah returned from New Delhi on Tuesday, Shivakumar stayed back in the national capital and held meetings Wednesday.

According to sources, the party’s top brass has advised Shivakumar to instruct his supporters to refrain from raising slogans or making public statements until the internal situation stabilises. Shivakumar was also asked to remain in Delhi to prevent large gatherings of his supporters in Bengaluru.

There is speculation that a section of MLAs, especially those in Siddaramaiah’s camp, would press for a vote during the CLP meeting. Some want a signature campaign in favour of Siddaramaiah. However, lawmakers RV Deshpande and AS Ponnanna denied this.