Siddaramaiah asked to step down from Karnataka CM post as Congress high command steps in to end power tussle

The Congress High Command on Tuesday decisively stepped in to end the festering leadership issues in Karnataka, asking Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to pave the way for a transition of power in the state.

Siddaramaiah is likely to resign on Wednesday or Thursday. The Congress Legislative Party meeting is likely to be held on Thursday or Friday to elect the new leader.

Congress General Secretary (in charge of Karnataka) Randeep Surjewala will arrive in Bengaluru on Wednesday to oversee the smooth transition of power.

The CM is likely to hold a press conference on Wednesday at Bengaluru to disclose his decision to resign.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi held a closed-door meeting with Siddaramaiah lasting over 40 minutes at the party headquarters in Delhi.

During this meeting, he reportedly tried to impress upon the veteran leader the need to agree to a generational shift in the Karnataka Congress.

The Congress leadership has not yet indicated who will replace Siddaramaiah.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has been actively lobbying for the post, while other names doing the rounds include Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader G Parameshwara.

According to sources, Rahul Gandhi offered Siddaramaiah an honourable exit, including the post of Karnataka Congress unit president with his son Yathindra inducted as a Cabinet minister.

Another option discussed was sending him to the Rajya Sabha and appointing him as Leader of Opposition in the Upper House.

Siddaramaiah, however, remained non-committal about transitioning to national politics.

Taking the Rajya Sabha seat will not only set the stage for Siddaramaiah’s “graceful” exit, but is seen as a win-win for both the leader and the party.

As the Congress’ tallest OBC leader, he fits its national OBC pitch. Karnataka under Siddaramaiah was the Congress test case to highlight the Centre’s “step-motherly” treatment.

His attacks on the Centre over tax devolution, Hindi imposition, NEP and fuel price hike make him a ready weapon against BJP in Delhi. Crucially, his shift removes a parallel power centre in Karnataka, clearing space for Shivakumar.

Siddaramaiah has refused a Delhi post earlier. This time, he might consider the option but not before bargaining for “appropriate” posts for his loyalist MLAs and MLC son Dr Yathindra.

A “compromise formula” could see Shivakumar sharing power with more than one Deputy CM, including Yathindra. But with the 2028 polls under two years away, the high command wants a smooth handover to avoid Ahinda bloc backlash, especially from Kurubas.

Congress still remembers the Lingayat alienation after Veerendra Patil’s ouster and BJP’s 2023 rout after Yediyurappa’s exit.

In his interactions, the chief minister reportedly questioned the need for his resignation, pointing out that there were no major complaints against his government, sources said.