Karnataka Politics LIVE: CM Siddaramaiah Convenes Crucial Cabinet Meet Amid Resignation Buzz; Governor’s Absence Delays Formal Exit

Dramatic political developments are unfolding in Karnataka today, May 28, 2026. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is widely expected to resign. This move will pave the way for a major Congress leadership transition. Currently, the 77-year-old veteran leader is hosting a high-stakes breakfast meeting. He is meeting with his Cabinet colleagues at his official residence, ‘Cauvery’, in Bengaluru. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is also attending.

However, the formal resignation process faces an unexpected hurdle. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot suddenly left the state due to a family emergency. Reports indicate the Congress high command asked Siddaramaiah to step down. They want him to transition to a role in the Rajya Sabha. This moves forward with a rotational power-sharing formula decided during the government’s formation.

The Twist: Governor’s Sudden Departure

While political circles anticipated a formal face-to-face resignation by Thursday afternoon, a sudden twist emerged from the Raj Bhavan. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot left Bengaluru on a late-night flight on Wednesday.

• Family Emergency: Official reports confirm the Governor travelled to his hometown via Indore and Mumbai due to a medical emergency involving his wife.
• Alternative Resignation Delivery: Because no immediate return flight has been scheduled for the Governor, sources within the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) state that Siddaramaiah will still officially dispatch his formal resignation letter directly to the Governor’s office in Raj Bhavan rather than waiting for a personal audience.

High Command Steps In for Smooth Transition

To ensure a seamless transition of power and prevent internal factionalism, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has deployed its top leadership to Bengaluru. AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, and General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal are actively overseeing developments.

Ahead of the collective breakfast meet, Siddaramaiah held a closed-door consultation with Surjewala to iron out the transition logistics. Senior party MLAs indicated that while some legislators insisted Siddaramaiah should remain in office, the Chief Minister firmly maintained that he would respect the word he gave to the party high command.

Who is Next? The Power-Sharing Formulas

While Deputy CM DK Shivakumar remains the frontrunner to succeed Siddaramaiah, the party high command is actively discussing multiple leadership formulas to keep all regional and caste equations balanced. One prominent strategy under review involves appointing multiple Deputy Chief Ministers alongside the new head of state to ensure equitable representation across communities. The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting is scheduled to be held on Friday, May 29, 2026, where the new Chief Minister will be formally elected.

Meanwhile, the opposition has hit back at the ruling party. BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra asserted that the ongoing power struggle and the forced exit of a sitting Chief Minister are a clear admission of administrative failure, claiming that Karnataka is inevitably heading toward mid-term elections.

Conclusion

Karnataka’s political landscape stands on the precipice of a definitive new chapter.Siddaramaiah’s impending exit marks the culmination of months of internal leadership speculation. This move solidifies the party’s commitment to its internal power-sharing arrangement.

Although Governor Gehlot’s absence introduces a temporary logistical delay to constitutional protocol, the political wheels are firmly in motion. The focus now shifts entirely to the Congress high command. Observers want to see how smoothly they manage the elevation of DK Shivakumar while keeping the party unified.