Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah resigned from his post on Thursday after the Congress high command reportedly asked him to step down, paving the way for deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar to take over the top post. Siddaramaiah said he had earlier maintained that he would resign if directed by the party leadership and acted accordingly after meetings in Delhi. The development followed back-to-back discussions involving Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior Congress leaders. Siddaramaiah thanked Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Kharge for giving him the opportunity to serve twice as Karnataka chief minister and leader of the opposition. Soon after the resignation, Karnataka Congress shared visuals projecting unity between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, while celebrations erupted outside Shivakumar’s Bengaluru residence as supporters distributed sweets.