Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to step down, paving the way for his deputy D.K. Shivakumar to take over. However, the leadership transition in Karnataka Congress is expected to remain tense, with reports suggesting that backroom negotiations over key posts have further intensified.
A decision on the leadership change is said to have been largely finalised following marathon meetings in Delhi, where Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar held separate consultations with the Congress high command.
The central leadership is understood to have arrived at a formula under which Shivakumar would become Chief Minister, while Siddaramaiah would be offered a Rajya Sabha seat along with a “major role” at the national level.
However, Siddaramaiah camp is keen on keeping the balance of power in the state, with the chief minister holding detailed discussions with his supporting MLAs.
According to an NDTV report, Siddaramaiah’s camp is likely to press for several demands, including multiple Deputy Chief Minister posts and a say in the appointment of the next Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee chief.
The demand for more than one deputy CMs has reportedly complicated the high command’s efforts to finalise a smooth transition, as they could create multiple power centres within the state leadership.
Shivakumar, who is currently in Delhi, was initially expected to return to Bengaluru on Wednesday but has now postponed his departure to Thursday, further fueling speculation over the timing of a formal announcement.
Reports also suggest that Siddaramaiah may announce his resignation within the next couple of days, possibly on Thursday, to clear the way for Shivakumar’s elevation.
It is further claimed that Siddaramaiah agreed to step down after receiving a direct message from senior party leadership, including Rahul Gandhi. The Chief Minister had previously stated that he would comply if asked by the party leadership.