Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has decided to tender his resignation, senior Indian National Congress (Congress) leader and nine-time MLA R.V. Deshpande claimed on Wednesday, 27 May, after meeting the Chief Minister in Bengaluru. The development has triggered a sharp escalation in speculation over a leadership change in the state, with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed him.

What Deshpande Said

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Siddaramaiah, Deshpande stated that the Chief Minister had already communicated his intention to step down to party legislators. 'Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already decided to tender his resignation. I think he may resign tomorrow. He told the MLAs to remain calm and continue. Siddaramaiah said that he had given his word to the high command and that he must honour that commitment,' Deshpande said.

Deshpande added that he had personally urged Siddaramaiah to stay on, but the Chief Minister held firm. 'I did not give him any suggestions beyond expressing my opinion that he should continue as Chief Minister. However, he told me that he had already committed to the high command. He conveyed that he would tender his resignation because he must stand by his word,' Deshpande stated.

Religious Figure Adds to Speculation

The political churn was compounded by a statement from Rambhapuri seer Jagadguru Prasanna Renuka Veera Someshwara Shivacharya, who appeared to endorse Shivakumar's elevation. 'When we visited Ramanagara district and D.K. Shivakumar came there, we had predicted that he would become Chief Minister. It now appears that our words are coming true,' the seer said. Such endorsements from influential religious figures carry significant political weight in Karnataka.

High Command Arrives, Confusion Acknowledged

All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala flew into Bengaluru from Delhi, accompanied by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi and other senior Congress leaders — a clear signal that the party's central leadership is directly managing the transition. Jarkiholi, considered a close associate of Siddaramaiah, acknowledged internal disarray while asserting the high command would resolve matters.

'There is confusion within the party, and the high command will resolve it. After the breakfast meeting tomorrow, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself will speak about the issue and share all details regarding the discussions. Until then, I will not be able to make any comments,' Jarkiholi said.

Competing Camps, Unresolved Outcome

Amid the churn, Housing and Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan reportedly convened a meeting of Congress ministers and MLAs from the Muslim community to assess the evolving situation. Separately, sources indicated that several ministers and senior leaders close to Siddaramaiah had advised him against an immediate resignation, instead urging him to seek a vote of confidence within the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) to test his support among MLAs.

Notably, this is not the first time Karnataka's Congress government has faced leadership-rotation pressure. The party's pre-election understanding reportedly included a mid-term chief ministerial rotation — a formula that has historically generated friction within the party. Despite the flurry of statements, the Congress high command had not issued any official announcement on a leadership change as of Wednesday evening. All eyes are now on Thursday's breakfast meeting, where Siddaramaiah is expected to address the party directly.