Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to resign today, May 27, 2026, with Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar poised to succeed him [1], [2].
This leadership transition comes amid internal power balancing within the Congress party. The shift is intended to stabilize the party's position ahead of upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and Karnataka Legislative Council polls [3], [4].
Reports indicate that Siddaramaiah will submit his resignation to the Governor of Karnataka at 3 p.m. [1]. The move follows high-level meetings at Indira Bhavan in Delhi, where the Congress high command coordinated the transition [1], [2].
An unnamed Karnataka Congress MLA said, "Siddaramaiah has decided to resign as per high command's order" [2]. However, the transition has not been without public contradiction. Siddaramaiah said, "I have not had any discussion about changing the CM position" [4].
The change is expected to be accompanied by a cabinet reshuffle [2], [4]. Some reports suggest this reshuffle may serve as a balancing act to manage internal friction between the two leaders [4]. In a separate minor cabinet adjustment, the Planning and Statistics portfolio was transferred to Minister K. Venkatesh [5].
To maintain stability during the handover, the Congress high command has reportedly issued specific directives to the incoming leadership. The party high command said the incoming leader should avoid public statements and manage supporters during this transition [1].
While the high command's order appears definitive, the public denial from the current chief minister suggests a complex internal dynamic as the state prepares for the official change in leadership today [1], [4].
“Siddaramaiah has decided to resign as per high command's order.”
This transition represents a strategic realignment by the Congress party to consolidate power and resolve leadership tensions before critical legislative elections. By moving D. K. Shivakumar into the top role while managing a cabinet reshuffle, the party is attempting to prevent factionalism from undermining its governance in Karnataka.
