Karnataka poised for 1st leadership swap in 17 years: CLP set to formally elect DK Shivakumar today; 5-10 ministers likely to take oath next week

BENGALURU: The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) will meet in Bengaluru Saturday evening to formally elect deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar as its new leader after governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot formally accepted chief minister Siddaramaiah's resignation. If all goes according to plan, Shivakumar will replace Siddaramaiah, marking Karnataka's first leadership handover in 17 years.

AICC general secretaries KC Venugopal and RS Surjewala will attend the CLP meeting at the Vidhana Soudha, where members are expected to first place on record their appreciation for Siddaramaiah's tenure before electing Shivakumar as leader. After the formal election, Shivakumar is expected to submit the CLP resolution to the governor at Lok Bhavan and stake claim to form the new cabinet.

Satish Jarkiholi, who is likely to replace Shivakumar as Karnataka Congress chief indicated that the high command's decision could be announced by Siddaramaiah during the CLP meeting.

Sources close to Shivakumar said 5-10 ministers are likely to take oath along with him if there is a consensus, while the larger cabinet expansion will be taken up later after consultations on caste, regional and political representation.

The swearing-in date is expected to be finalised based on the availability of senior Congress leaders and astrological consultations. Shivakumar is said to have consulted family astrologer BS Dwarakanath, who suggested Sunday, Monday and Friday as auspicious dates for the ceremony. Sources said Shivakumar is keen to have Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra present at the oath-taking ceremony and will take a final call after consulting them. Shivakumar shares a close rapport with Priyanka, and she had reportedly backed the CM change.

On Friday, Siddaramaiah met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi along with his son Yathindra. Sources said he declined an offer for a Rajya Sabha berth and instead pushed for adequate cabinet representation for his loyalists in the new govt besides seeking a larger political role for his son. Siddaramaiah also reportedly proposed reviving a coordination committee model to act as a bridge between the party and the govt. He had earlier headed a similar panel during the Congress-JD(S) coalition govt in 2018.

However, sources indicated that the Congress high command was not inclined towards the proposal as the party currently enjoys a clear majority on its own and sees little need for such an arrangement. Instead, they are trying to persuade Siddaramaiah to accept the Rajya Sabha offer and have asked him to revert by June 5.

Shivakumar also held discussions with AICC leaders in Delhi on cabinet formation and has sought appointments with Rahul and Priyanka for the oath ceremony.

In a message on X, Shivakumar described Siddaramaiah's political journey as inspirational and sought his continued guidance. "Let us all move forward together for the progress of Karnataka," Shivakumar said. "God does not give boons or curses. He only gives opportunities. What truly matters is what we make of those opportunities," he added.