The Congress high command breathed a sigh of relief as Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah resigned, paving the way for Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar to take over. The power struggle between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar began during the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election campaign after Rahul Gandhi’s announcement.
Shivakumar managed to secure the Vokkaliga vote bank by openly appealing to the community, leading to a Congress victory with 136 Assembly seats. Following the election results, lobbying for the Chief Minister’s post intensified between camps loyal to Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah.
The internal conflict escalated as demands for a leadership change grew, with Siddaramaiah eventually resigning after completing two-and-a-half years in office. Speculation heightened regarding Shivakumar potentially becoming the Chief Minister, with ongoing discussions and tensions within the state unit.
Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala’s visit to Bengaluru and the subsequent summoning of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to New Delhi added to the speculation of a leadership change. Siddaramaiah’s resignation announcement on May 28, 2026, marked a significant development in Karnataka’s political landscape.
