'Siddaramaiah will resign at 3 pm, DK Shivakumar to be the new CM': Karnataka Minister
During the meeting Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was seen touching the feet of CM Siddaramaiah in a show of respect.
by Zee Media Bureau · Zee NewsKarnataka’s political circles were abuzz on Thursday as senior Congress leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, gathered at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s residence for a closely watched breakfast meeting amid growing speculation over a possible leadership transition.
Karnataka Minister HK Patil said CM Siddaramaiah will resign at 3 pm today, paving the way for DK Shivakumar as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka.
"Chief Minister will resign at 3 o'clock. CM Siddaramaiah said that we will make DK Shivakumar the new CM, he will become the CM," said Karnataka Minister HK Patil after CM Siddaramaiah's breakfast meeting in Bengaluru.
The meeting, held at the CM’s Kaveri residence, comes against the backdrop of reports suggesting Siddaramaiah may be preparing to resign, even as he is also said to have sought an afternoon appointment with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, reportedly to tender his resignation.
During the meeting Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was seen touching the feet of CM Siddaramaiah in a show of respect.
The two leaders also exchanged a warm embrace, seen as an indication of the leadership transition the state may soon witness.
According to reports, Siddaramaiah is expected to announce his resignation as Chief Minister after the breakfast meeting, with DK Shivakumar likely to assume the top post.
Several Karnataka Ministers also arrived at the Siddaramaiah's residence, including Priyank Kharge, KJ George, MB Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, and HK Patil, amid tight security.
The meeting comes amid recurring discussions over a possible leadership change that have surfaced intermittently over the past few months, even as the party leadership has repeatedly dismissed such speculation.
There has been constant speculation regarding DK Shivakumar’s elevation since the Congress government in Karnataka completed half of its term, and party sources indicate that further deliberations are likely before a final decision is reached.
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Earlier in the day, sweets were distributed outside DK Shivakumar’s residence amid expectations that he may be appointed the next Chief Minister of Karnataka.
Speculation over a leadership change within the Karnataka Congress has been ongoing since the government completed two and a half years in office last year, and the administration has now completed three years in power.
Both Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar were in the national capital on Tuesday, where they attended a meeting with senior Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.
According to sources, the party leadership is believed to be inclined towards change and has reportedly conveyed to the chief minister, Siddaramaiah, to make way for the transition.
However, the party has officially said that the meeting focused on the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections, dismissing reports of a leadership change as mere "speculation".