Congress eyes Karnataka reset; CM Siddaramaiah expected to step down

Karnataka appeared set for a major political transition as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was likely to tender his resignation on Thursday, according to an article by India Today. He is also expected to address a press conference in Bengaluru tomorrow amid growing speculation over a leadership change in the Congress-ruled state.

Major political decision in Karnataka

Reportedly, Siddaramaiah is likely to host a breakfast meeting for the entire Karnataka cabinet at his residence on Thursday morning. The move has intensified political buzz around an imminent change of guard in the state.

Also Read | Why China looms large over the new India-US critical minerals agreement

Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala is also expected to arrive in Bengaluru on Thursday as political activity gathers pace. According to sources of India Today, it is known that Surjewala is likely to hold meetings with senior Congress leaders in the state as the party leadership works to manage the transition and contain sectarian tensions.

Internal tussles within the Karnataka Congress legislature party are expected to continue even if the leadership transition is formalised, with rival camps likely to push aggressively for influence in the next phase of the government, as reported by the sources of India Today.

Different pathway planned for Siddaramaiah

The anticipated announcement follows days of backchannel discussions between Karnataka leaders and the Congress high command in Delhi. During the talks, Siddaramaiah was reportedly urged to move to national politics through the Rajya Sabha and take on a larger organisational role ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Sources said the Congress leadership wants Siddaramaiah to emerge as one of the party’s key OBC faces nationally as Rahul Gandhi sharpens the Congress’s social justice and caste outreach strategy before the next general election.

Also Read | Rain, storms to sweep north India: IMD issues alerts for Delhi, UP, Rajasthan

The veteran leader was reportedly informed during closed-door meetings that the party needed him in Delhi to strengthen its national OBC mobilisation efforts and that his political stature would be important to the Congress’s long-term electoral strategy.

India Today reported that the leadership further assured Siddaramaiah that “all other things and his issues will be taken care of” if he agreed to the transition plan.