Siddaramaiah Karnataka CM Resign: Speculation about a leadership change in the Karnataka Congress has intensified again. Following separate meetings between Rahul Gandhi and Siddaramaiah, discussions regarding the Chief Minister's position intensified. On Tuesday evening, the Congress stated that reports of a Chief Ministerial change in Karnataka were baseless, and that the Delhi meeting was called to discuss the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. However, a major update emerged late last night that Siddaramaiah may resign on May 28th.

Siddaramaiah Karnataka CM Resigns: Political activity has once again intensified regarding a leadership change in the Karnataka Congress. A crucial meeting of the Congress high command in Delhi and a subsequent separate meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have further fueled speculation about a change of guard. Although the party has not yet officially confirmed any changes, media reports suggest Siddaramaiah may make a major announcement on May 28th.

On Tuesday, the Congress high command held a major meeting in Delhi regarding the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. However, the political significance of this meeting is not limited to election strategy. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Congress General Secretaries Randeep Singh Surjewala, and KC Venugopal were present at the meeting.

Separate meetings between Rahul Gandhi and Siddaramaiah sparked a stir.

According to an ANI report, after the meeting, Rahul Gandhi met separately with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The discussion focused on a potential leadership change in Karnataka. The party leadership emphasized the need for Siddaramaiah to prepare for a transition. However, no deadline was given for his resignation. Several options were considered during the discussion.

One of these options is likely to include Siddaramaiah's active role in national politics by sending him to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka. However, a final decision on this has not yet been made. It is being said that the party will only formulate a clear roadmap after the next round of talks between Rahul Gandhi and Siddaramaiah.

Siddaramaiah may resign on Thursday, May 28

However, according to a late-night report in The Hindu, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to make his stance clear on whether he accepts the offer on May 28th. India Today and Deccan Herald reported that Siddaramaiah may resign on May 28th. According to India Today's report, Siddaramaiah is expected to hold a press conference at his Bengaluru residence on Thursday, May 28th. Randeep Surjewala is expected to travel from Delhi to Bengaluru on Wednesday to facilitate the leadership change and transfer of power.

Meanwhile, an NDTV report stated that Shivakumar is currently in Delhi. He will meet Siddaramaiah for breakfast in Bengaluru on Thursday, after which Siddaramaiah will resign. However, it is also being said within the Congress party that even if Siddaramaiah agrees to this proposal, he will not need to resign as Chief Minister immediately.

DK Shivakumar's candidature is back in the news.

Speculation about a change of guard in the Karnataka Congress has been swirling ever since the government completed its two-and-a-half-year term in November 2025. Since then, supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have consistently claimed he will be the next Chief Minister. Now, following meetings in Delhi, his candidacy has once again become the focus of discussion.

KC Venugopal termed the speculation as baseless

Earlier, after a marathon seven-hour meeting in Delhi, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal told the media that the meeting was entirely focused on the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. He said, "Today, a detailed discussion took place with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, Randeep Singh Surjewala, and I were present. The entire discussion focused solely on the upcoming elections."

He dismissed speculation about a leadership change, saying that what people are discussing is mere speculation and there is no truth to it. He also said that candidates for Karnataka's Rajya Sabha and council seats will be announced along with candidates from other states. However, the update regarding Siddaramaiah's resignation came after Venugopal's statement.

BJP targets Congress government

BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra, attacking the Congress party over the political situation in Karnataka, said that the state government is on the verge of collapse due to internal conflicts. He said, "Since the Congress government was formed, the biggest issue there has been who will remain as Chief Minister and who will be removed. There are many contenders for the post of Chief Minister."

Manan Kumar Mishra alleged that development work in the state has come to a complete standstill and the public is suffering. He also said that Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge are unable to resolve the dispute. He claimed that discontent within the Congress is growing in Kerala and Telangana, in addition to Karnataka.

Tuesday's events at a glance

• Congress high command calls crucial meeting for Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections
• The meeting was attended by Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, Randeep Singh Surjewala and KC Venugopal.
• After the meeting, a separate one-on-one discussion took place between Rahul Gandhi and Siddaramaiah.
• According to sources, discussions were held on leadership change and Siddaramaiah's possible new role.
• The option of sending Siddaramaiah into national politics through the Rajya Sabha also emerged.
• Congress denies any change for now
• BJP leaders accuse Congress government of internal strife and stalled development
• The Congress High Command meeting sparked political debate.

Why is the decision not easy for Congress?

Party sources say that without convincing Siddaramaiah, it will be difficult for the Congress leadership to implement the decision to change power. He is currently the only Chief Minister from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the four Congress-ruled states. Furthermore, he is considered to have a strong hold on the AHINDA (Minority, Backward Classes, and Dalit) social equation in Karnataka. This is why the Congress leadership wants to avoid any hasty decisions.

It is believed that after the setbacks in the recent assembly elections in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam, the Congress leadership is now being more cautious in taking major political decisions.

Ministers and MLAs gathered in Delhi

Siddaramaiah held a breakfast meeting with his supporting ministers at Karnataka Bhavan. He had camped in Delhi with about a dozen ministers, around 40 MLAs, and several supporters. All eyes are now on the Congress high command and Siddaramaiah's next move on Thursday.

A postgraduate from Allahabad University, he began his career as a sports journalist for Prabhat Khabar, covering the region for a year. A keen interest in history, politics, and science led him to a keen interest in international events. Now, he serves Prabhat Khabar, covering the ever-changing dynamics of global geopolitics.

PC:Prabhat Khabar