Siddaramaiah to resign, DK to succeed; Satish Jarakiholi likely to take over as KPCC Chief

Bengaluru

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to resign from the top post tomorrow (Thursday), paving the way for Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to take over as the next Chief Minister, according to sources. To prevent any possible rebellion or internal dissent arising out of the leadership transition, the Congress High Command has reportedly agreed to appoint four Deputy Chief Ministers.

The anticipated change of guard in the Congress government has remained a subject of intense political discussion for more than six months. The leadership transition has now reportedly moved towards implementation after the completion of Assembly elections in Kerala, Assam and other states. Sources said that on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi directed Siddaramaiah to step down from the Chief Minister’s post. At the same time, Gandhi is also said to have agreed to certain conditions and demands placed by the outgoing Chief Minister as part of the transition process.

As part of the wider restructuring, the Congress High Command has reportedly given its approval for Satish Jarkiholi to become the new President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), a position currently held by Shivakumar. Shivakumar is expected to resign from the organisational post following his elevation.

According to sources, the Congress leadership has also worked out a power-sharing arrangement involving four Deputy Chief Ministers. Those likely to be accommodated are M B Patil, Priyank Kharge, Zameer Ahmad Khan and Siddaramaiah’s son Yatindra Siddaramaiah. Sources indicated that Siddaramaiah is keen on ensuring that leaders considered close to him remain part of the new power structure around Chief Minister-designate Shivakumar. Sources further claimed that Kharge has extended support to Shivakumar’s elevation as Chief Minister.

The sources added that the High Command has also agreed in principle to a Cabinet reshuffle, with several leaders reportedly eager to secure ministerial berths in the new arrangement. As part of the exercise, Shivakumar may have to relinquish charge of the Bengaluru Development portfolio. Sources suggested that the department could be handed over either to K J George or Ramalinga Reddy. At present, George holds the Energy portfolio, while Reddy is in charge of Transport and Muzarai.

Sources further stated that changes are also expected in the position of Deputy Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, currently held by Rudrappa Manappa Lamani. He is likely to be assigned a different responsibility or portfolio under the new arrangement.

According to sources, the Congress High Command believes that this combination of leadership changes, organisational appointments and Cabinet restructuring could help ensure smooth functioning of the government and reduce the possibility of open rebellion within the party. However, sources also indicated that if Siddaramaiah shifts to a national role and is later accommodated in the Rajya Sabha, his absence from active state politics may create conditions for internal infighting within the party.