The Karnataka Congress Legislature Party will meet at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru to formally elect D.K. Shivakumar as the state's new chief minister [1].
This transition marks a significant shift in power within the state's ruling party, ending the tenure of Siddaramaiah following directives from the party's central leadership in New Delhi [2].
Siddaramaiah was expected to step down from his position on May 28, 2026 [3]. The legislative party meeting is scheduled for the coming days to formalize the leadership change. Following this process, the new chief minister could be sworn into office next week [4].
The transition follows a period of deliberation by the Congress high-command. Reports said that the move to install Shivakumar as the leader was a result of direction from the party's central leadership [2].
While the legislative party must elect its leader before staking a claim to form the government before the governor, some reports said that Siddaramaiah's preparations to resign occurred despite the governor's absence [5].
Shivakumar, who currently serves as the deputy chief minister, is poised to take the helm of the state administration. The process at Raj Bhavan is intended to ensure a smooth transfer of power between the outgoing and incoming leaders [1].
The move comes amid ongoing discussions regarding the party's power formula in the region. Siddaramaiah has reportedly backed Shivakumar to ensure stability during the handover [2].
“D.K. Shivakumar is set to take over leadership following the resignation of Siddaramaiah.”
The transition from Siddaramaiah to D.K. Shivakumar signals a strategic realignment by the Congress central leadership to refresh the state's administration. By formalizing the change through a legislative party meeting at Raj Bhavan, the party aims to maintain internal discipline and present a unified front before the official swearing-in ceremony.
