Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met with senior Congress leadership in Delhi this week to discuss a potential leadership transition [1, 2].

This move is critical as the party seeks to balance internal power dynamics and Other Backward Class (OBC) representation ahead of upcoming Rajya Sabha polls and the 2029 general elections [2, 3].

Reports indicate that Congress leadership has asked Siddaramaiah to resign, positioning Shivakumar as his successor [1, 4]. Some sources suggest a potential step-down could occur as early as Thursday [3, 5]. The discussions in Delhi lasted for seven hours [3].

There are conflicting accounts regarding the nature of these meetings. The party said the gathering was a routine session related to the Rajya Sabha polls [2]. However, other reports describe the event as the execution of a major leadership transition after months of speculation [4].

While some accounts suggest there is no indication that the chief minister will step down [2], others maintain that party bosses are backing Shivakumar to take over the role this week [5]. The transition is reportedly designed to position the party's leadership for a larger role in 2029 [3].

The shift comes as the party evaluates its strategic positioning in the state. By managing the transition now, the Congress leadership aims to avoid instability during the election cycle, while ensuring a smooth handover of power between the two prominent leaders [1, 3].

“The discussions in Delhi lasted for seven hours.”

The potential transition from Siddaramaiah to Shivakumar represents a strategic gamble by the Congress party to refresh its state leadership. By addressing the rivalry between the two leaders now, the party hopes to consolidate its base and optimize its electoral strategy for the 2029 cycle, though the conflicting reports on the resignation's imminence suggest lingering internal friction.