The Congress high command’s long-anticipated Karnataka reset finally unfolded on Thursday, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stepping down after weeks of intense speculation, emotional negotiations and a bitter undercurrent of power tussle within the party. But even as Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar emerged as the clear frontrunner to take over the state, Siddaramaiah’s dramatic rejection of a Rajya Sabha berth has triggered a new question inside Congress circles: Is the veteran leader now being positioned for a bigger organisational role - possibly as the next Congress president or national chief strategist?
The developments marked one of the most politically charged days in Karnataka since the Congress returned to power in 2023.
After days of backchannel negotiations with the Congress high command, Siddaramaiah formally resigned as Karnataka Chief Minister on Thursday. The move comes amid reports that Rahul Gandhi personally pushed for the implementation of the “2.5-year power-sharing formula” that had reportedly been worked out between Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar when the government was formed in 2023.
Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah held a crucial breakfast meeting at his official residence ‘Kaveri’ with DK Shivakumar and several senior ministers, where he informed them about his decision to step down. Ministers present reportedly included KJ George, B Suresh, Santosh Lad, Satish Jarkiholi, Priyank Kharge, Mahadevappa and Yathindra Siddaramaiah, all of whom later headed to Delhi as the Congress leadership intensified consultations.
Shortly after the meeting, Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation to the Governor’s office, officially ending his second term as Chief Minister.
In an emotional address after resigning, Siddaramaiah said he was leaving office with “satisfaction and pride,” insisting he had fulfilled the promises made to the people of Karnataka. “I have kept my word,” the outgoing CM said, while defending his government’s flagship guarantees and welfare agenda. He also thanked the Congress leadership and reflected on his political journey, signalling both emotional closure and continued loyalty to the party.
Sources said Siddaramaiah’s camp had resisted the leadership transition until the final round of talks in Delhi earlier this week. But the Congress high command ultimately decided that the leadership change could no longer be delayed, particularly with the party looking ahead to future Assembly and Lok Sabha battles.
Perhaps the biggest political twist of the day came when Siddaramaiah publicly rejected the Congress offer of a Rajya Sabha seat. “I have no interest in national politics,” Siddaramaiah told party leaders while declining the Upper House option.
The Rajya Sabha route was seen as a face-saving rehabilitation package for the outgoing Chief Minister after the leadership transition. But Siddaramaiah’s refusal has significantly altered the political conversation within Congress.
By rejecting Parliament and national office in its conventional form, Siddaramaiah appears to have indicated that he is unwilling to become politically irrelevant or be moved into ceremonial politics. Instead, speculation has now intensified over whether the veteran OBC leader could be considered for a major organisational role in the Congress setup.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
