Karnataka Congress Power Shift Puts DK Shivakumar In Focus

DK Shivakumar Set For CM Role

Karnataka is heading for a major Congress power shift after Siddaramaiah resigned as Chief Minister. Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot accepted his resignation and asked him to continue as caretaker CM until the new leadership takes charge. The Congress Legislature Party meeting will be held on Saturday at 4 pm in Vidhana Soudha, where DK Shivakumar is expected to be elected as the new CLP leader. After getting support from Congress MLAs, Shivakumar is likely to meet the Governor and stake a claim to form the new government. The swearing-in is expected after the party completes internal consultations on cabinet formation and power-sharing.

Caste Census Becomes Big Test

Siddaramaiah’s exit has also left a sensitive political challenge for Shivakumar. Before stepping down, Siddaramaiah accepted Karnataka’s caste census report, making it a major issue for the next government. The report could influence debates on reservations, welfare schemes, and community representation. Shivakumar may now have to balance concerns of dominant communities with the AHINDA vote base built by Siddaramaiah. For Congress and Rahul Gandhi, the issue is also important because the party has strongly supported caste census politics at the national level.