Overview
- Senior Congress figures held marathon meetings with Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar in New Delhi to press for a leadership change and to manage the transition quietly.
- Multiple insiders and MLA R V Deshpande say Siddaramaiah has decided to resign and has sought a meeting with the Governor, with reports saying he may formalize that decision on Thursday.
- DK Shivakumar is widely reported as the likely successor and supporters gathered at his residence as party operatives prepared for a possible handover.
- The party publicly denies a final decision while negotiators continue to discuss concessions for Siddaramaiah, including a Rajya Sabha berth, national roles, and posts for close allies.
- Congress leaders say they want to avoid a public factional split that could hurt the party in upcoming Rajya Sabha polls and the 2028 assembly race, but the move risks backlash from Siddaramaiah’s AHINDA support base.