Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announces decision to step down at breakfast meeting with Ministers
Drawing the curtains on an illustrious political career spanning nearly five decades, Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is learnt to have informed his Cabinet colleagues of
Drawing the curtains on an illustrious political career spanning nearly five decades, Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is learnt to have informed his Cabinet colleagues of his decision to resign from the post during the breakfast that he hosted at his official residence in Bengaluru on May 28. This was confirmed by Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao who attended the breakfast meeting hosted by the Chief Minister. Also Read: Karnataka politics LIVE Besides a full five-year term between 2013-18, the veteran Congress leader recently completed three years in office in his second term on May 20. Siddaramaiah is credited with stitching together a formidable OBC-Muslim-Dalit constituency (AHINDA) that propelled him to the top post. Speculation about his continuation were rife since May 26 evening after he was learnt to have been told by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to pave the way for a new leader and had offered him a Rajya Sabha ticket, allowing an honourable exit to the 77-year-old leader.
His next move — whether he would take up the Rajya Sabha seat offer — is not known. The election to four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka is scheduled on June 18. Among those retiring include Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. While sharing his decision to step down, the Chief Minister informed the Cabinet that he had been asked to do so by the Congress High Command. He informed that he would be submitting his resignation in Lok Bhavan later in the afternoon. Mr. Siddaramaiah is learnt to have spoken about the achievements and challenges in his second term, and thanked the Ministers for their cooperation. Governor away in Indore The political drama took an interesting turn as Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot left for Indore late on May 27 night due to personal reasons.
Lok Bhavan sources said that though the resignation could be handed over to the Special Secretary of the Governor, the decision to accept the resignation would be taken by the Governor after meeting the Chief Minister personally. The Governor is likely to return to Bengaluru on May 28 since he is scheduled to receive Vice-president C.P. Radhakrishnan, who will be attending some programmes in Karnataka on May 29. What happened during breakfast Earlier, activity in the Chief Minister’s residence picked up around 9 a.m. as Cabinet Ministers started trickling in, including Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, a contender for the top post. Visuals released to the media showed the two top leaders hugging each other and Mr. Shivakumar touching the senior leader’s feet seeking his blessing. Chief Minister’s Office sources said that though several senior legislators had also turned up outside his residence, only the Cabinet Ministers were allowed inside.
The BriefWire