D.K. Shivakumar elected Leader of Congress Legislative Party in Karnataka

DK Shivakumar, president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, was elected as the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader on May 30, 2026. The name was suggested by outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who left the post of CLP Leader after 17 years. Both the decisions were supported by senior leader G. Parameshwar during the CLP meeting held at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), Congress General Secretary Organisatiok KC Venugopal announced the election of Mr. Shivakumar as the CLP leader.

“The Congress high command has decided to appoint DK Shivakumar as the Karnataka CLP leader. Mr. Shivakumar will meet the Governor to stake the claim as the Karnataka CM. Under the guidance of the high command, a smooth transition of power has taken place in Karnataka,” Mr. Venugopal said.

Earlier in the day, Mr Siddaramaiah’s decision to give up the position of CLP Leader was conveyed to the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. The former CM, along with Mr. Shivakumar, Mr. Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala, had adjourned the meeting to convey the news to Mr. Gandhi.

Mr. Shivakumar will be sworn in as the next Chief Minister of Karnataka on June 3, 2026. However, despite heated debates over the last few days, including in the Congress high command, there is still no clarity on the much-anticipated Cabinet reconstitution.

Will DK Shivakumar’s Cabinet strike the right balance?

After months of speculation and uncertainty, political shadow boxing, multiple trips to Delhi and a series of breakfast and dinner diplomacy meetings, Siddaramaiah finally resigned as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on May 28, 2026 and handed over the mantelpiece to his deputy and chief ministerial candidate DK Shivakumar. What does the change of guard mean for the Congress in Karnataka? What are the key challenges facing CM candidate DK Shivakumar? So what’s next for Siddaramaiah? | Video Credit: The Hindu