Karnataka Congress president D.K. Shivakumar on Friday, 29 May said the election of a new Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader is the 'immediate priority', even as he met party chief Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi and sought his blessings by touching his feet — a gesture widely read as Shivakumar signalling his deference to the high command in the race for the Karnataka Chief Minister's post.

What Shivakumar Said

Speaking to reporters in Delhi after meeting Congress high command leaders, Shivakumar was measured and deliberate. He said all other matters — including the swearing-in date and Cabinet formation — would be addressed only after the CLP election was concluded. He declined to reveal a timeline for the oath ceremony, saying decisions would be taken 'step by step'.

This was his first public statement since caretaker Chief Minister Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation from the top post, triggering the current succession process.

CLP Meeting Scheduled for Saturday

Caretaker Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who currently holds the position of CLP leader, has convened a meeting of the legislature party for Saturday evening at 4 pm at the Conference Hall, Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru. The announcement was made by Allamaprabhu Patil, MLA and Secretary of the Congress Legislature Party.

All MLAs, MLCs, Lok Sabha members, and Rajya Sabha members from Karnataka have been directed to attend. Shivakumar confirmed that party MLAs have been instructed to remain in Bengaluru ahead of the meeting, and that the timing was fixed on the directions of the Congress high command.

High Command Consultations in Delhi

Friday's activity in Delhi was intense. Shivakumar met Congress president Kharge and held discussions on government formation. Separately, Karnataka Congress MPs and MLAs also called on Shivakumar in Delhi for consultations. Shivakumar and former minister K.J. George also met Siddaramaiah in the capital during the day.

Notably, the high command's role in directing the CLP meeting's timing underscores that the final call on Karnataka's next Chief Minister rests with the party's central leadership, not the state unit alone.

What Happens Next

The CLP meeting on Saturday is expected to elect a new legislature party leader, who will then be the party's nominee for Chief Minister. The swearing-in date and Cabinet composition are likely to be decided in the days following the CLP vote. With Shivakumar widely regarded as a frontrunner, Saturday's meeting will be a defining moment for Karnataka's political transition.