Karnataka CLP to Meet at 4 PM Saturday to Elect D. K. Shivakumar as Leader

Siddaramaiah's meeting with Gandhi at Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi's residence in the national capital is seen as significant because the former Karnataka CM is learnt to have told the former party chief that he has fulfilled his promise of resigning from the chief minister's post, paving the way for a transition in Karnataka. According to sources, Siddaramaiah only met Gandhi, as Mrs Gandhi was not present during the meeting.

At the meeting, Siddaramaiah, it is learnt, discussed his future plans and the formation of the new Karnataka government with Gandhi. He has already declined a Rajya Sabha nomination, offered by the party leadership. He also said that he wants to remain in Karnataka and is not keen on a central role, which the party high command had suggested to him.

After the meeting, Kharge, in a post on X, praised Siddaramaiah's contribution to public life, describing him as a leader committed to social justice, equality and the welfare of marginalised communities.

Siddaramaiah also shared details of the meeting with the Congress top brass on social media and said senior Congress leaders K.J. George, Priyank Kharge and Yathindra were present during the interaction. He also had lunch with Shivakumar during the day.

Meanwhile, the Congress legislature party (CLP) meeting to elect its new leader has been scheduled to be held on Saturday evening in Bengaluru to elect the new leader. The meeting is being seen as just a formality, as former Karnataka deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar is expected to be elected the new leader.

Amidst the CLP meeting preparations in Bengaluru, Shivakumar met Kharge in Delhi and sought his blessings by touching his feet before embarking on his new role as the chief minister. After the meeting, Shivakumar told the media, "I am still in the process of meeting leaders. So far, I have met seven leaders… They will take a call on the matter. Tomorrow, we will have a CLP meeting. We have asked all our MLAs to be present for CLP in Bengaluru… The swearing-in ceremony will be fixed after the election of the new CLP leader is completed.”

While both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are in Delhi to meet the Congress high command and discuss the transition of power and formation of the new Cabinet, the Karnataka governor accepted the resignation of the chief minister and dissolved the council of ministers headed with immediate effect. Mr Siddaramaiah will continue to function as CM till alternative arrangements are made.