Celebrations Erupt at D.K. Shivakumar’s Residence After Siddaramaiah Announces Resignation

Bengaluru, May 2026 : Jubilant celebrations broke out at the Bengaluru residence of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced his decision to step down during a high-profile breakfast meeting held at his official residence, ‘Kaveri’.

Soon after the development became public, large numbers of Shivakumar’s supporters and Congress workers gathered outside his residence in Sadashivanagar. Supporters were seen chanting slogans in his favour, distributing sweets, bursting crackers and celebrating amid strong indications that Shivakumar is set to become the next Chief Minister of Karnataka.

The atmosphere outside the residence turned festive as party workers hailed Shivakumar’s expected elevation after years of organisational work and political struggle within the Congress party. Anticipating large crowds and possible law-and-order concerns, police and security personnel were deployed in significant numbers around the residence to regulate the gathering and maintain security.

According to sources familiar with the breakfast meeting, Siddaramaiah discussed several key governance and administrative issues before announcing his resignation. He reportedly spoke about the financial challenges facing the state government, including the burden of implementing the Congress government’s flagship guarantee schemes and the importance of sustaining welfare initiatives in the coming years.

Sources further stated that Siddaramaiah informed cabinet colleagues that the Congress high command had conveyed its decision that D.K. Shivakumar would succeed him as Chief Minister. Members of the Council of Ministers are said to have expressed their support and agreement following the announcement.

The outgoing Chief Minister also urged his cabinet colleagues to continue focusing on governance and welfare delivery for the people of Karnataka. According to insiders, Siddaramaiah remained calm and composed while making the announcement, but became emotional towards the end of his address.

“I am satisfied with the work that I have done,” Siddaramaiah reportedly told his colleagues during the meeting, reflecting on his tenure as Chief Minister.

Several ministers considered close to Siddaramaiah were also said to have become emotional during the gathering. Labour Minister Santosh Lad was among those visibly moved by the announcement, highlighting the emotional nature of the leadership transition within the Congress government.

Following the meeting, Shivakumar returned to his residence where celebrations intensified. Sources close to the Deputy Chief Minister said he is expected to visit the Nonavinakere Mutt to seek blessings from seer Ajjayya Swamiji and discuss an auspicious date and time for the swearing-in ceremony. Shivakumar is reportedly accompanied by his daughter during the visit.

Meanwhile, security arrangements have also been strengthened at Lok Bhavan ahead of Siddaramaiah’s scheduled visit to formally submit his resignation. Barricades were installed around the premises, and senior administrative officials reviewed security preparations in anticipation of heightened political activity.

Lok Bhavan Secretary R. Prabhushankar has reportedly arrived at the venue to receive the resignation letter, as Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot is currently in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, due to a personal emergency. Sources indicated that Siddaramaiah would hand over the resignation documents to the Governor’s office despite his temporary absence from Bengaluru.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister’s Office officially announced Siddaramaiah’s schedule, stating that he would visit Lok Bhavan at 2.30 p.m. and later address a press conference at his other official residence, ‘Krishna’, at 3 p.m.

Adding to the confirmation of the transition, Karnataka Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H.K. Patil, while leaving the breakfast meeting, told reporters, “CM is going to Raj Bhavan. CM Siddaramaiah will make Shivakumar the new CM.”

With the Congress leadership transition now appearing imminent, Karnataka is set to witness a major political change as D.K. Shivakumar prepares to take over the reins of the state government.