‘Will Stay In Active Politics’: Siddaramaiah Quits As Karnataka CM, Turns Down Congress' Rajya Sabha Seat Offer

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday officially resigned from his post, formally ending weeks of intense speculation over a leadership transition in the Congress government.

The resignation was submitted to the Governor’s office at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru around 3 PM. Since Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot is currently out of station, Governor’s Secretary Prabhushankar received the resignation letter on his behalf.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara accompanied Siddaramaiah during the submission of his resignation, underscoring the Congress party’s attempt to project unity amid the high-stakes power transition.

Shortly after submitting the resignation, Siddaramaiah left Lok Bhavan and confirmed that he had stepped down following directions from the Congress high command.

Addressing a press conference shortly after submitting his resignation, Siddaramaiah said, “I have submitted my resignation to the Governor’s office. The Governor is not in town. The resignation letter has been submitted to the Secretary of the Governor.”

Refuses Rajya Sabha Seat

In a significant political message immediately after resigning as the CM, Siddaramaiah revealed that the Congress leadership had offered him a Rajya Sabha seat, an offer he chose to decline.

He said the party had proposed a national role for him, but he made it clear that he was not interested in moving to Delhi politics.

The outgoing Chief Minister also asserted that he would remain active in politics, signalling that despite stepping down, he intends to continue wielding influence in Karnataka. The move is being viewed as a major snub to the Congress high command’s apparent attempt to shift him into a national role through the Rajya Sabha route.

‘High Command Directed Me To Resign’

In a major political admission, Siddaramaiah openly stated that the Congress leadership had instructed him to relinquish office.

“The high command directed me to resign from my position,” he said, adding, “I had intimated them that I would resign. Hence, I tendered my resignation.”

Siddaramaiah also confirmed that Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot would formally accept the resignation after returning to Bengaluru.

“Governor will accept my resignation when he returns,” he said.

The veteran Congress leader reiterated that he would abide by the party leadership’s decision regarding the transition.

“I will abide by the high command,” Siddaramaiah stated.

DK Shivakumar To Be Next CM

The resignation has effectively cleared the decks for Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to take over as Karnataka’s next Chief Minister.

Senior Congress leader and Karnataka minister HK Patil had earlier confirmed after a crucial breakfast meeting at Siddaramaiah’s official residence ‘Kaveri’ that Shivakumar had been chosen as the next CM.

“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 had said earlier in the day.

The transition brings an end to the prolonged internal tussle within the Karnataka Congress unit over rotational chief ministership and leadership control.

Siddaramaiah is likely to travel to Delhi later in the evening to hold discussions with the Congress high command regarding the next cabinet formation and possible Deputy Chief Minister picks.

Symbolic Show Of Unity

The transition process was marked by symbolic gestures aimed at projecting party unity.

During the breakfast meeting held earlier at the CM residence, DK Shivakumar was seen touching Siddaramaiah’s feet in front of senior ministers and Congress leaders.

The two leaders also shared a warm embrace before heading to Lok Bhavan together.

Several senior ministers, including Priyank Kharge, MB Patil, KJ George and Ramalinga Reddy, attended the meeting amid tight security arrangements.

Siddaramaiah’s Emotional Farewell

Addressing the media after resigning, Siddaramaiah struck an emotional tone while reflecting on his political journey.

“My duty is to pass the baton to the next Chief Minister,” he said.

The outgoing CM highlighted the stability of the Congress government and asserted that the party still enjoyed a clear majority in the Assembly.

“We have an absolute majority right now,” he stated.

“We had independents joining us in this successful government,” he added.

Siddaramaiah also made a strongly worded constitutional statement, saying, “My Constitution is my religion. Voters are our gods.”

He further thanked the Congress leadership for entrusting him with major political responsibilities over the years.

“I have had the opportunity to serve the people. I have been a Chief Minister twice. I have been the Leader of Opposition twice,” Siddaramaiah said.

“Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi gave me these positions. I want to thank Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge,” he added.

The outgoing CM also thanked Congress workers, MPs and MLAs for standing by him throughout his political career.

“From 2006 onwards, all Congress leaders, workers, MLAs, Lok Sabha MPs and Rajya Sabha MPs supported me throughout,” he said.

Governor Away Amid Political Transition

The resignation comes amid an unusual situation where Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot is currently away from Bengaluru and has travelled to his hometown Nagda in Madhya Pradesh due to his wife’s ill health.

Despite the Governor’s absence, Congress leaders maintained that the transition process would continue smoothly.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka minister KH Muniyappa had said all formalities would proceed as planned even though the Governor was not at headquarters.

Celebrations Begin In Karnataka

Even before the formal resignation, celebrations had erupted outside DK Shivakumar’s Bengaluru residence, where supporters gathered and distributed sweets anticipating his elevation as Chief Minister.

In Kalaburagi, Indian Youth Congress workers performed special pujas demanding that Priyank Kharge be appointed Deputy Chief Minister in the new cabinet expected to be formed after Shivakumar takes oath.

The Congress central leadership had publicly dismissed reports of a leadership change for weeks. However, political activity intensified after recent meetings involving Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi.

With Siddaramaiah now officially stepping down, Karnataka is set for one of its biggest political transitions in recent years as DK Shivakumar prepares to take charge of the state.