Karnataka Congress Prepares for Leadership Transition with D.K. Shivakumar Set to Take Office
Leadership Change in Karnataka Congress
The Congress party in Karnataka is currently engaged in final preparations for a leadership change. D.K. Shivakumar is anticipated to take the oath as the next Chief Minister on June 3. According to party sources, he is expected to be joined by around eight to ten ministers during the ceremony. Following the completion of the Rajya Sabha election process, a further cabinet expansion is likely to occur after June 18. This transition comes in the wake of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's resignation, as the party aims to ensure a smooth transfer of power ahead of the next phase of governance in the state.
Meetings in New Delhi
On Friday, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were in New Delhi, where they met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi. A significant meeting took place at Rahul Gandhi's residence on 10 Janpath, during which Siddaramaiah confirmed his commitment to resigning from the Chief Minister position, paving the way for the power transition. Sources indicate that Siddaramaiah met only with Rahul Gandhi, as Sonia Gandhi was not present at the meeting. It has also been reported that he has requested cabinet positions, including the Deputy Chief Minister role, for his son and loyalists in the new government.
Formal Meeting Scheduled
A formal meeting of the Congress Legislative Party is scheduled for Saturday at 4 PM in Bengaluru. Senior AICC observers, including K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala, will oversee the proceedings. It is expected that the legislators will formally elect a new leader of the legislative party, after which the date for the oath-taking ceremony will be officially announced. The Congress leadership is planning significant changes within the cabinet.
New Faces in the Cabinet
Senior party leaders, including Chief Whip Saleem Ahmed and former minister M. Veerappa Moily, have suggested that nearly half of the ministerial positions should be filled by new faces. Ahmed stated that the party intends to introduce new leadership in preparation for the 2028 assembly elections. Additionally, Congress leaders are discussing a revised version of the Kamaraj Plan. Under this proposal, ministers who have completed a three-year term may be removed from the cabinet and assigned organizational responsibilities within the party. Ahmed emphasized that experienced ministers will be encouraged to strengthen the party's grassroots structure.
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