Outgoing Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah met Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi after his resignation, as Congress prepares to elect a new Chief Minister tomorrow.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, May 29, 2026: Karnataka’s political transition entered a decisive phase on Friday as former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi following the acceptance of his resignation by Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot.
The meetings come amid intense consultations within the Congress party over the next leadership arrangement in Karnataka after Siddaramaiah formally stepped down on May 28 as part of a long-anticipated power transition within the state unit. The Karnataka Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting has now been scheduled for Saturday, May 30, where legislators are expected to formally elect the next Chief Minister.
The leadership change marks a major political moment for the Congress government in Karnataka, which returned to power in 2023 with a sweeping mandate built around welfare promises and social coalition politics led jointly by Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar.
DK Shivakumar Set to be New CM
With Siddaramaiah stepping aside, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has emerged as the strongest contender for the Chief Minister’s post. Though the Congress central leadership has not yet made an official announcement, party insiders believe Shivakumar currently enjoys a significant advantage ahead of the CLP meeting.
Shivakumar, widely regarded as one of the Congress party’s most influential organisational leaders in Karnataka, played a crucial role in rebuilding the party structure after the BJP government’s tenure. As Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, he spearheaded the party’s campaign strategy and was instrumental in mobilising resources and consolidating support across regions.
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ದೆಹಲಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂದು ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ವರಿಷ್ಠರಾದ ರಾಹುಲ್ ಗಾಂಧಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಎಐಸಿಸಿ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾದ ಮಲ್ಲಿಕಾರ್ಜುನ ಖರ್ಗೆಯವರನ್ನು ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗಿ ಮಾತುಕತೆ ನಡೆಸಿದೆ.
ಶಾಸಕರುಗಳಾದ ಕೆ.ಜೆ.ಜಾರ್ಜ್, ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ, ಡಾ|| ಯತೀಂದ್ರ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಅವರು ಈ ವೇಳೆ ನನ್ನೊಂದಿಗಿದ್ದರು. pic.twitter.com/3yy5DrAzcO
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 29, 2026
Sources within the party said discussions in Delhi are focused not only on the Chief Minister’s selection but also on balancing caste equations, regional representation, cabinet expansion, and organisational restructuring. The future of the Karnataka Congress president’s post — presently held by Shivakumar — is also understood to be part of the ongoing negotiations.
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High-Level Consultations in Delhi
Soon after resigning, Siddaramaiah travelled to Delhi to brief the party leadership on the political situation and transition process. His flight was reportedly diverted to Jaipur due to adverse weather conditions before he eventually reached the national capital. Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala accompanied him during the journey.
Apart from Rahul Gandhi and Kharge, several senior Karnataka Congress leaders also participated in the discussions. Karnataka ministers K. J. George and Priyank Kharge, along with Legislative Council member Yathindra Siddaramaiah, were present during parts of the consultations.
Party leaders described the meetings as crucial for ensuring a smooth transfer of power and avoiding factional tensions within the state unit.
Emotional Tribute from Shivakumar
Amid speculation over the leadership change, D.K. Shivakumar paid an emotional tribute to Siddaramaiah, praising his political journey and contribution to Karnataka politics.
In a post on X, Shivakumar described Siddaramaiah’s rise from a small village in Mysuru district to the Chief Minister’s office as “a story of resilience, perseverance and commitment to social justice.” He thanked the outgoing Chief Minister for his leadership and said several welfare initiatives launched under his tenure would leave a lasting impact on the people of Karnataka.
ದೇವರು ವರನೂ ಕೊಡಲ್ಲ, ಶಾಪನೂ ಕೊಡಲ್ಲ. ಅವಕಾಶ ಮಾತ್ರ ಕೊಡುತ್ತಾನೆ. ಆ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿರುವ ಅವಕಾಶದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾವು ಏನು ಸಾಧನೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೇವೆ ಎಂಬುದು ಮುಖ್ಯ. ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ಉದಾಹರಣೆಯೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯನವರು.
ಮೈಸೂರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಹಳ್ಳಿಯೊಂದರಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿ, ಬೆಳೆದು, ಹೋರಾಟದ ಮೂಲಕ ರಾಜಕೀಯಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದು, ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ನ್ಯಾಯದ ಹರಿಕಾರ ಹಾಗೂ ಬಡವರ… pic.twitter.com/DLEGN94UWt
— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) May 29, 2026
Shivakumar also reflected on their political partnership since he became KPCC president in 2020, saying Siddaramaiah had stood beside him “like a pillar of strength” during critical moments for the party.
Calling it a privilege to serve under Siddaramaiah as Deputy Chief Minister, Shivakumar expressed hope that the veteran leader’s experience and guidance would continue to shape the Congress government and organisation in Karnataka.
Challenges Ahead for Congress
While the leadership transition appears to be progressing smoothly on the surface, political observers believe the Congress faces major challenges in maintaining internal balance after Siddaramaiah’s exit.
Siddaramaiah remains one of Karnataka’s tallest mass leaders with strong support among OBCs, minorities and Dalit communities. He was also the principal face of the Congress government’s ambitious “five guarantees” welfare programme, which included direct financial assistance schemes for women, unemployed youth and economically weaker sections.
The welfare model significantly strengthened the Congress party’s support base across rural and lower-income sections. However, opposition parties and economists frequently criticised the schemes, arguing that the rising welfare expenditure reduced fiscal space for infrastructure and capital development projects.
Managing these competing political and economic pressures will likely become one of the biggest tests for the incoming Chief Minister.
Decision Expected Within 48 Hours
Party sources indicated that clarity on the next Chief Minister and the composition of the new cabinet is expected within the next 48 hours following tomorrow’s CLP meeting.
The Congress leadership is reportedly keen to ensure that the transition sends a message of unity and stability, especially at a time when Karnataka remains the party’s most significant government in southern India.
As legislators gather in Bengaluru tomorrow, attention across the state will remain fixed on whether D.K. Shivakumar formally takes charge of Karnataka’s top political office or whether the Congress high command opts for a surprise alternative
