Siddaramaiah informs cabinet colleagues of decision to step down as Karnataka CM: Official sources

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah informed his cabinet colleagues of his decision to resign during a breakfast held at his residence in Bengaluru, official sources said on May 28.

His current deputy and possible successor DK Shivakumar and other cabinet colleagues attended the breakfast meeting.

In a photo shared by the Prime Minister’s Office, Siddaramaiah is seen embracing an emotional Mr. Shivakumar. In another photo, CM hopeful Mr. Shivakumar is seen touching Mr. Siddaramaiah’s feet and taking his blessings.

Karnataka’s Deputy CM DK Shivakumar touches the feet of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the breakfast meeting held in Bengaluru on May 28, 2026. | Photo Credit: CMO

According to CMO sources, the CM sought an appointment with the Governor after the party high command asked him to pave the way for a leadership change in Karnataka.

However, Lok Bhavan sources said that Mr. Siddaramaiah has yet to seek an appointment from Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who has gone to his hometown Indore due to personal reasons.

While political excitement was rising in the Southern State in anticipation of a new CM, AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala had announced on May 27 that the Congress had not called a meeting of its legislative party in Karnataka and no further decision had been taken yet. He asked the media not to speculate on the issue.

The Legislative Party elects its leader who becomes the CM.

Surjewala, who arrived in Bengaluru on May 27, also met Mr. Siddaramaiah and other senior leaders.

This development comes after the Congress high command asked Mr Siddaramaiah to usher in a leadership change in the state and offered him a central role in the party with a Rajya Sabha seat. According to reports, Mr. Siddaramaiah did not immediately accept the central role.

Some sources indicate that Mr Siddaramaiah may have decided to resign as the message came directly from senior party leader Rahul Gandhi. The CM has repeatedly stated that he will resign if the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha asks him to do so.

Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar were summoned to Delhi by the party on May 26; back-to-back meetings were held here at the Congress headquarters, which included Rahul Gandhi, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, party General Secretaries KC Venugopal and Mr. Surjewala.