Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced his resignation to the cabinet during a breakfast meeting on May 28, 2026 [3].
The leadership transition marks a significant shift in the state's governance, as it fulfills a strategic transition plan within the Congress party. The move ensures a planned handover of power to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Siddaramaiah informed his cabinet colleagues of the decision during the morning gathering. G. Parameshwara, a Karnataka minister, said the meeting served as a moment of thanks before the formal resignation process began.
The outgoing chief minister is expected to submit his formal resignation to the Governor’s secretary at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru [4]. There are varying reports on the exact timing of the submission, with sources citing the time as either 2:30 p.m. [1] or 3:00 p.m. [2].
This change follows a request from the Congress high command as part of a power-sharing agreement. Under this arrangement, Siddaramaiah is expected to move to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India's Parliament.
Siddaramaiah expressed his support for the transition and the incoming leadership. "I back D.K. Shivakumar as the next Chief Minister of Karnataka," Siddaramaiah said.
The transition comes after extensive discussions in Delhi regarding the political landscape of the state. While some reports emphasize a formal power-sharing pact, others suggest the move is the result of strategic political maneuvering by party leadership to stabilize the administration.
“"I back D.K. Shivakumar as the next Chief Minister of Karnataka."”
This transition reflects the internal dynamics of the Congress party in Karnataka, where balancing regional power centers is critical for stability. By moving Siddaramaiah to the Rajya Sabha, the party retains his seniority and influence at the federal level while allowing D.K. Shivakumar to consolidate executive control over the state administration.
