Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation after directions from the Congress high command, while DK Shivakumar is expected to take oath next week.
May 28, 2026: Siddaramaiah officially submitted his resignation as Chief Minister of Karnataka on Thursday, paving the way for a major leadership transition in the Congress-led government. According to sources, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar is expected to take oath as the next Chief Minister on Monday. Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation at Lok Bhavan, while Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot is expected to formally accept it after returning to Bengaluru later in the evening.
Addressing the media after stepping down, Siddaramaiah said the Congress high command had informed him of the decision two days earlier. He stated that the party continues to hold a clear majority in the Assembly and expressed confidence that the Governor would act according to constitutional norms. During the press conference, Siddaramaiah became emotional while reflecting on his long political career and said he never imagined he would rise to become an MLA, minister and eventually Chief Minister.
The senior Congress leader also dismissed speculation about moving to national politics, saying he had declined an offer for a Rajya Sabha seat from the party leadership. “I have no interest in national politics and will continue in state politics as I still have two years left as an MLA,” he said. Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah hosted a breakfast meeting with senior Congress leaders and ministers in Bengaluru, attended by DK Shivakumar, amid growing indications that the party has finalised the leadership transition in Karnataka.