Siddaramaiah Seeks Appointment With Governor As Resignation Seems Imminent, Likely To Make Way For DK Shivakumar

Amid reports of a leadership change in the Karnataka government, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sought an appointment from Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. The move seems to be guided to finally put an end to the long-simmering power tussle, making way for Deputy CM DK Shivakumar's elevation to the top post.

Earlier reports suggested that he has been asked to step down from the post of Karnataka CM and enter national politics through the Rajya Sabha.

He is likely to meet the Governor to tender his resignation. The 77-year-old veteran on Thursday will also host his cabinet colleagues, including Shivakumar, for breakfast.

Congress, however, has maintained that talks of leadership change are mere speculation. AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, on Wednesday, urged not to speculate as no legislative party meeting was called, and the recent meetings were only related to Rajya Sabha elections.

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"Currently, no meeting of the legislature party has been called by the Congress party. No other decision has yet been taken. As things evolve, we will inform you. I cannot tell you what will happen after one month, 20 days, tomorrow, six months or one year-that is speculation," Surjewala said.

Celebration outside Shivakumar's house, protest at Siddaramaiah's

Despite Congress's clarification, the buzz continued to intensify as senior party leader RS Deshpande stated that the CM has decided to resign. While talking to the media, Deshpande said that Siddaramaiah told him that he was resigning.

Besides political activity within the party also indicated that at least this time, leadership change was no speculation but an actual discussion.

Siddaramaiah's loyalists gathered outside his official residence on Wednesday. One of the supporters, while being taken away in a police van, told reporters that if Siddaramaiah steps down as CM, the Congress will face a huge setback in the state.

Police deployed outside the CM's official residence, Kaveri, whisked away the protesters in buses as they shouted slogans.

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The protesters were also seen raising slogans against the Congress leadership, expressing displeasure over the move for a CM change.

On the other hand, supporters of Shivakumar were seen celebrating across several parts of Karnataka. Outside Shivakumar's residence in Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru, firecrackers were burst and sweets were distributed. Similar scenes were witnessed in Ramanagara, the district headquarters of Bengaluru South.