Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Likely to Resign Today Amid Leadership Change Buzz

Bengaluru, May 28 (TNT) : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to announce his resignation as Chief Minister later on Thursday amid mounting speculation of a leadership change in the ruling Congress government.

At a breakfast meeting with cabinet colleagues on Thursday morning, the 77-year-old leader reportedly indicated that he would step down at around 3 p.m.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar was also present at the meeting.

Siddaramaiah is expected to formally submit his resignation to Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot later in the day.

The developments come amid speculation that the Congress leadership is preparing for a transition in the three-year-old Karnataka government, with Shivakumar seen as the frontrunner for the top post.

Before the cabinet meeting, Siddaramaiah is learnt to have held discussions with Randeep Surjewala, the Congress party’s Karnataka in-charge.

However, Surjewala sought to downplay reports of an imminent leadership change, saying the Congress legislature party had not been convened and that no formal decision had yet been taken. He urged the media not to speculate on the issue.

The Congress returned to power in Karnataka in 2023 with Siddaramaiah as chief minister and Shivakumar as his deputy after prolonged negotiations within the party leadership.

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