AICC General Secretary (Organisation) and Lok Sabha MP K.C. Venugopal announced that D.K. Shivakumar has been unanimously elected as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Karnataka. This decision positions Shivakumar to potentially become the next Chief Minister of the state. The announcement was made following a CLP meeting at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
Venugopal, along with outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar, and AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, addressed the media after the meeting. It was revealed that Shivakumar would soon meet the Governor to stake a claim to form the government. Venugopal mentioned that Shivakumar is expected to take oath as Chief Minister on the evening of June 3, along with his team.
The CLP, during the meeting, authorized the Congress high command to propose a leader for the party. Following discussions, Shivakumar’s name was put forward by the party leadership. Siddaramaiah proposed Shivakumar’s name during the meeting, and the proposal was seconded by senior Congress leader G. Parameshwara. The unanimous election of Shivakumar as the leader of the CLP was described as a significant moment for the Congress party.
Describing the transition as a smooth one, Venugopal dismissed earlier speculations of internal differences within the party. He praised Siddaramaiah for prioritizing the party’s interests and ensuring a seamless leadership transition. Venugopal credited Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi for their role in facilitating the smooth transfer of power in Karnataka.
Expressing confidence in the party’s future, Venugopal affirmed that under Shivakumar’s leadership, with Siddaramaiah’s support, the Congress government in Karnataka will continue to serve the people. He expressed optimism about the party’s performance in the upcoming 2028 Assembly elections under the collective leadership of its key figures.
