Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Requests Meeting with Governor Amid Leadership Change Speculations

In Karnataka, amidst ongoing speculation about a potential leadership shift, sources from the Chief Minister's office revealed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has requested an appointment with Governor Thawarchand Gehlot on May 28. This development has intensified rumors that Siddaramaiah may resign on Thursday, paving the way for his deputy, D.K. Shivakumar, to assume the role of Chief Minister. A senior official close to the Chief Minister confirmed that he indeed sought a meeting with the Governor.

 

According to Congress sources, during the meeting, Siddaramaiah might submit his resignation to Governor Gehlot. The Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, has engaged in extensive discussions with both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, and a final decision regarding the leadership change is expected after the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections next month. Reports indicate that Shivakumar's faction is pressuring Siddaramaiah to step down from the top position, proposing a central role for him, which he has not accepted. Additionally, there are indications that Siddaramaiah has been offered a Rajya Sabha seat.

 

The leadership dispute centers around Shivakumar's demand for promotion to Chief Minister, based on an alleged assurance made during the 2023 assembly elections that Siddaramaiah would serve as Chief Minister for the first two and a half years, after which Shivakumar would take over for the remainder of the term. Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah stated on Wednesday that discussions with the Congress high command would take place the following day. He made these remarks after paying tribute to India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on the occasion of his 62nd death anniversary at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.

 

After paying homage, he told reporters that Nehru was the first Prime Minister of the country after independence, serving for 17 years and dedicating himself to the nation. He embodied both socialist and capitalist ideals. When specifically asked about the discussions with the party's high command, Siddaramaiah replied that they would address this matter the next day.