Karnataka Minister HK Patil confirms CM Siddaramaiah will resign at 3 pm, with Deputy CM DK Shivakumar taking over the top post. The decision followed a key breakfast meeting attended by senior ministers, amid speculation over a leadership transition.
Karnataka Minister HK Patil on Thursday confirmed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will resign at 3 pm and that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar would take over as the next Chief Minister following a key breakfast meeting held in Bengaluru. "Chief Minister will resign at 3 o'clock. CM Siddaramaiah said that we will make DK Shivakumar the new CM, he will become the CM," HK Patil told reporters after the meeting at Siddaramaiah's official residence 'Kaveri'.
There is also an indication that outgoing CM Siddaramiah may travel to Delhi to get a final nod on the picks for Deputy Chief Minister.
Leadership Transition Meeting
The crucial meeting came amid intense speculation over a leadership transition in the Karnataka Congress government, which recently completed three years in office.
Symbolic Gesture at Meeting
During the breakfast meeting, DK Shivakumar was seen touching the feet of Siddaramaiah in a gesture viewed as symbolic of the expected transition. The two leaders also shared a warm embrace in front of party leaders and ministers gathered at the residence.
Several senior Karnataka Ministers, including Priyank Kharge, KJ George, MB Patil, Ramalinga Reddy and HK Patil, attended the meeting amid tight security arrangements outside the venue.
Supporters Celebrate Impending Change
Meanwhile, D.K. Suresh, former MP and brother of DK Shivakumar, arrived at Shivakumar's residence in Bengaluru amid growing political activity and celebrations by supporters outside the house.
Supporters of Shivakumar celebrated outside his Bengaluru residence by distributing sweets in anticipation of him becoming the next Chief Minister.
Demand for Priyank Kharge as Dy CM
In Kalaburagi, members of the Indian Youth Congress performed a special puja at the Shri Sharana Basaveshwara Temple, demanding that Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge be appointed Deputy Chief Minister if Shivakumar takes over the top post.
Party's Previous Stance
The Congress leadership has repeatedly described reports of leadership change as speculation. However, political activity intensified after Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar recently met senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, in New Delhi. (ANI)
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