Two days after the Congress leadership directed him to resign to enable a change, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced his resignation at a cabinet breakfast meeting on Thursday. D K Shivakumar is expected to become the next chief minister, supported by two or three deputy chief ministers.
Satish Jharkiholi may replace Shivakumar as state Congress president. From the ST community in Belagavi, he would balance regional representation.
The central leadership informed Siddaramaiah on Tuesday of the planned transition but gave no confirmation to Shivakumar, though he was the clear choice. Siddaramaiah appeared shocked while Shivakumar awaited instructions.
The high command aims to finalize the cabinet first, limiting Shivakumar’s sole control over appointments to avoid alienating the Siddaramaiah group. Two or three deputy chief ministers are planned to reflect caste and regional balance, including one each from Lingayat and Dalit communities. Shivakumar belongs to the Vokkaliga community. If Siddaramaiah pushes for his son Yathindra as deputy, the number could increase.
M B Patil, a Lingayat minister, is seen as a leading candidate for one deputy post. If he declines, he might become state Congress president. Home Minister G Parameshwara, from the Dalit community and a former state president, could be another deputy.
The leadership is open to Yathindra as deputy to ensure stability. Rahul Gandhi wants greater Ahinda representation in the new cabinet. Siddaramaiah, from the Kuruba community, was the only backward-class chief minister for Congress and built the Ahinda base. The entire cabinet is expected to take oath together, with preference for a younger profile.
