Hugs & hot idlis: Bonhomie before the big call? DK Shivakumar touches Siddaramaiah’s feet

The strongest signal of the transition came from Siddaramaiah’s breakfast meeting with cabinet colleagues in Bengaluru. In visuals that quickly went viral, Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar shared a warm embrace, while Shivakumar was also seen touching the veteran leader’s feet and seeking his blessings: moments widely viewed as symbolic of the transfer of power.

Karnataka is headed for a dramatic political transition as chief minister Siddaramaiah is now set to step down, paving the way for deputy CM DK Shivakumar to take over the state’s top post. The breakthrough came after days of high-level negotiations with the Congress leadership, ending months of speculation over the party’s long-discussed leadership rotation formula.

For nearly three years, DK Shivakumar waited for his turn after Congress returned to power in Karnataka in 2023. Though Siddaramaiah eventually became chief minister, party insiders had long spoken about an informal rotational arrangement. With Siddaramaiah now stepping aside, Shivakumar is finally set to achieve the political goal he has pursued for years.

The final decision is believed to have been sealed after Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were summoned to Delhi for marathon meetings with Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala. Sources say the Congress high command made it clear that the time had come for a leadership change in Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah exits as one of Karnataka’s tallest political figures. He recently became the state’s longest-serving chief minister, surpassing the record of his mentor D Devaraj Urs. Over nearly two decades, he emerged as Congress’ strongest mass leader in Karnataka, shaping welfare politics around AHINDA communities: minorities, backward classes and Dalits.

Even before an official announcement, celebrations broke out outside DK Shivakumar’s residence in Bengaluru. Supporters distributed sweets, burst crackers and put up giant posters welcoming him as Karnataka’s next chief minister. Across several districts, Congress workers celebrated what they called the beginning of a “new chapter” in the state.

Before agreeing to step down, Siddaramaiah’s camp reportedly pushed for a Congress Legislature Party meeting to formally elect the next leader. Some insiders believed the move could open space for a consensus candidate like senior leader G Parameshwara. But the Congress leadership ultimately moved ahead with Shivakumar as the clear frontrunner for succession.

The transition is not just about replacing one chief minister with another. It marks a major generational and political shift inside Karnataka Congress. While Siddaramaiah built the party around welfare politics and backward class mobilisation, Shivakumar is expected to bring a more aggressive organisational and electoral approach ahead of future state and national battles.

The leadership change has also triggered concern among several backward class organisations and Siddaramaiah loyalists, who believe Congress risks alienating sections of its traditional support base. Groups representing AHINDA communities warned the party against weakening Siddaramaiah’s influence, calling him the most important Congress leader for marginalised communities in Karnataka.

After months of suspense, Karnataka is finally preparing for a new political chapter. Siddaramaiah’s resignation will close one of the most dominant leadership eras in state Congress politics, while DK Shivakumar now stands on the verge of taking charge of a state government he helped bring to power. The transition could redefine Karnataka politics for years to come.