Outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met members of the public on Saturday at his Kaveri residence in Bengaluru to hear their grievances and receive complaints.
This engagement follows closely after the Congress veteran submitted his resignation to facilitate a leadership transition in the state.
On Thursday, Siddaramaiah voluntarily resigned as Chief Minister, handing his resignation to the Governor’s Special Secretary at Lok Bhavan upon the suggestion of the Congress high command. Subsequently, the Karnataka Congress has scheduled a crucial Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Bengaluru at 4 PM amid ongoing discussions regarding organisational matters, speculation surrounding leadership, and political debates within the ruling party.
The CLP meeting was called after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accepted Siddaramaiah’s resignation and dissolved the Council of Ministers with immediate effect. Despite this, Siddaramaiah has been requested to continue as Chief Minister until an alternative arrangement is made.
Karnataka Congress president and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated on Friday that the CLP meeting would be held in the presence of party observers, who will subsequently consult the Congress high command before final decisions on leadership and organisational issues are taken. He told reporters in the national capital, “A CLP meeting will be held in Bengaluru tomorrow at 4 PM. Our two observers will arrive. We will conduct the CLP meeting in their presence, and subsequently, they will take a call after consulting with the High Command.”
Regarding Rajya Sabha nominations and other organisational appointments, including Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs), Shivakumar clarified that these responsibilities lie entirely with the party leadership in New Delhi. “We will release our list alongside those of other states. That is the information I have received. They (party high command) will inform you. This does not fall within my jurisdiction. The party high command will decide on this matter–even in the case of MLCs,” he said.
When asked about the leadership transition and his potential elevation as Chief Minister, Shivakumar responded that he was unaware of any timeline and indicated the decision would be made following the election of the CLP leader. He said, “I still do not know when they will elect the leader of the Congress Legislature Party. Then we will discuss.”
Both Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar met with senior Congress leaders in the national capital on Friday to discuss the forthcoming cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka.