By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar scored a big political victory after his arch-rival and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was forced to quit on Thursday ending months of speculation.
Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation to the Governor’s office at Lok Bhawan in Bengaluru on May 28 after holding a crucial breakfast meeting with cabinet colleagues and senior Congress leaders at his official residence.
The resignation marks the end of a prolonged power-sharing tussle within the ruling Congress in Karnataka. Ever since the Congress returned to power in 2023, political circles had been abuzz with reports of a rotational chief minister arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who is also President of the ruling Congress in Karnataka. Siddaramaiah’s resignation is widely being seen as the implementation of that understanding brokered by the Congress high command.
Addressing reporters shortly after resigning, Siddaramaiah became emotional and said he had “kept his word” while expressing satisfaction over the implementation of the Congress government’s welfare guarantees. He also praised the party leadership and said the Congress would continue to remain united in Karnataka.
Scenes of camaraderie between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar dominated Karnataka politics through the day. During the breakfast meeting, Shivakumar was seen greeting Siddaramaiah warmly, signalling an attempt by the Congress high command to project a smooth transition of power.
Soon after tendering his resignation, Siddaramaiah left for New Delhi to meet senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi amid discussions on the formal power transition and a possible cabinet reshuffle.
Political reactions poured in from across the spectrum. While Congress leaders described the move as a disciplined transition, opposition BJP leaders alleged that the change reflected instability and internal rivalry within the ruling party. Protests were also reported from some parts of Karnataka by Siddaramaiah supporters unhappy over his exit.
Siddaramaiah, one of Karnataka’s tallest backward class leaders, leaves office after steering the Congress government through major welfare initiatives and political challenges. His resignation now sets the stage for a new chapter in Karnataka politics, with Shivakumar expected to take charge as the next chief minister in the coming days.