Shivakumar's Moment Arrives: Party Meet Today to Formally Hand Karnataka's Top Job to DKS

The morning after Siddaramaiah’s resignation as Karnataka Chief Minister , the Congress party moved swiftly on two fronts, cementing the political transition in Delhi and formalising its timeline in Bengaluru, as all roads pointed unmistakably to D K Shivakumar stepping into the state’s top job within days.

A day after stepping down, Siddaramaiah travelled to Delhi accompanied by his son Yathindra and met Rahul Gandhi at Sonia Gandhi’s 10 Janpath residence on Friday morning, thanking him for the opportunity to serve Karnataka and confirming he had resigned as directed by the high command. Sources indicated that during the meeting, Siddaramaiah sought cabinet berths for his son and close loyalists in the new government, including the post of Deputy Chief Minister . He subsequently met AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal , before holding a joint discussion with Shivakumar and senior leader K J George on cabinet formation. Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Surjewala , who was present throughout, described the transition as entirely smooth with no hurdles.

Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot formally accepted Siddaramaiah’s resignation on Friday and dissolved the Council of Ministers , completing the constitutional formality that cleared the path for government formation. Within hours, the Karnataka Congress Legislature Party issued a formal notice calling a CLP meeting on Saturday, May 30, at 4 PM at the Conference Hall of Vidhana Soudha , with attendance made mandatory for all MLAs, MLCs, and MPs. Siddaramaiah, still Leader of the Congress Legislature Party, will chair the meeting, with Shivakumar, Surjewala, and all working presidents of the party in attendance. Karnataka Minister H K Patil said Shivakumar is already “ Chief Minister-designate ,” adding that from the moment Siddaramaiah publicly confirmed he had been advised to resign and recommended Shivakumar, the outcome was never in doubt.

Behind the scenes, the shape of the incoming cabinet is taking form with significant political implications. Discussions are underway on appointing four Deputy Chief Ministers to ensure social and regional representation, while several ministers from the outgoing Siddaramaiah cabinet may not find a place in the new government. Satish Jarkiholi , who served as PWD minister under Siddaramaiah, has been offered a choice between a cabinet post in the new government or the presidency of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee , a position Shivakumar will vacate upon becoming Chief Minister. Jarkiholi, who has not concealed his own chief ministerial ambitions ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections, said he would consult Siddaramaiah before deciding. Shivakumar’s swearing-in is now expected on June 1 or 3, likely during an auspicious time.

Before leaving Delhi, Siddaramaiah also held joint discussions with Shivakumar and K J George, covering Rajya Sabha elections and party reorganisation in Karnataka alongside cabinet composition. He was expected to land at HAL Airport in Bengaluru by evening ahead of Saturday’s decisive CLP vote.

For Shivakumar, Friday was a day of quiet consolidation, meeting the party’s top brass, receiving legislators, and laying the groundwork for a cabinet that must hold together a government still carrying the weight of two strong camps within it. The baton is all but passed. The formal handover comes Saturday at Vidhana Soudha.