Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is reported to be likely to step down from his post on Friday, with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expected to succeed him, CNN‑News18 said. The report, published on May 26, 2026, said the Congress central leadership has reportedly backed Shivakumar’s claim unanimously. Sources cited in the report added that Siddaramaiah has been asked to take up a national role within the party and that his son is likely to be named deputy chief minister.
Earlier on the same day, the Congress held a marathon six‑hour meeting that party officials said focused on upcoming Rajya Sabha and MLC elections. “Discussions were held regarding the Rajya Sabha and MLC elections. There is no truth to any other speculation,” Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal told reporters after the meeting.
Despite the public denial, media reports said speculation over a leadership transition intensified after accounts emerged that the party high command had reached a consensus to change the state leadership. Party sources cited by the report described the matter as resolved in Shivakumar’s favour.
The leadership dispute in Karnataka has persisted for more than a year. Supporters of Shivakumar have long maintained that the Congress agreed to a rotational chief minister arrangement when it formed the government after the 2023 Assembly elections, and that Shivakumar accepted the deputy chief minister role with the understanding he would take the top post after roughly two-and-a-half years.
Congress leaders, however, had been cautious about altering the state’s power balance because of Siddaramaiah’s strong backing among the AHINDA social coalition-minorities, backward classes and Dalits-which was pivotal to the party’s 2023 victory. The party opted to maintain the status quo even after Siddaramaiah completed two years in office in November, amid concerns that a leadership change could provoke political backlash among key voter groups, particularly with neighbouring Tamil Nadu preparing for elections.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/karnataka-cm-siddaramaiah-likely-to-step-down-friday-dk-shivakumar-tipped-to-take-over-report-14015550.html
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Publish Date: 2026-05-26 22:21:00
