Karnataka CM Change Confirmed After Meet? Siddaramaiah To Meet Guv At 10:30 | Afternoon Dispatch

Added: 2026-06-01

[00:00:00]Ladies and gentlemen, our top dispatch this afternoon from Karnataka where high voltage political developments are taking place ahead of a much awaited and much contested leadership change. Chief Minister Siddra Maya is likely to step down tomorrow according to party insiders as intense internal negotiations continue within the party's top brass. Now while there is no official confirmation, the political atmosphere in Bengaluru remains highly charged. At the same time, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shiva Kumar is in Delhi and is expected to return to Bengaluru for a key cabinet breakfast meeting tomorrow with the Chief Minister. Times now continuing to bring you the fastest updates and back-to-back inside scoops.

[00:00:41]Let's take you through the big big developments that have happened over the next 30 minutes or so. This is what has happened ladies and gentlemen. Has DK Shivakumar's time come? Possibly yes.

[00:00:53]This is what we have been picking up.

[00:00:55]The first big development that is that has happened this afternoon is this.

[00:00:58]Chief Minister Siddharaya according to sources will be meeting the governor tomorrow. This meeting is scheduled at 10:30. Then tomorrow itself there will be a CLP meeting that is likely. We are also getting you details of what the compromise formula is. The compromise formula is two deputy chief ministers, one OBC and one SC. Sati Joli is telling us that the announcement may happen tomorrow. He's the one who set to replace DK Shukumar as KPCC's as the head of the KPCC. Of course, Randep Singh Sjala headed today itself to Bengaluru and one of the compromise formulas to pleate uh Mr. Sidraaya is that his son Yatendra, Dr. Yatendra will possibly be accommodated in the cabinet that is formed under DK Shivakumar. So those are the big developments that are coming to us. Uh meanwhile, more breaking news coming in. Sidaraya has sought time to be the governor. The chief minister's office has sought time with the governor is something that we can now confirm to you. Let me go straight across to our reporters Imran and Nyamika who are joining us on the broadcast. Uh Imran to you first. All right. First let's quickly listen into what's going on and then we can probably patch up with the reporters.

[00:02:34]straight across to Nyamika who is joining us on the broadcast and I would would like Iran on the broadcast as well since he's the one getting us information from the governor's office but Nyamika it seems contrary to what The Congress party wants all of us to believe the leadership change is happening tomorrow. I remember yesterday you were covering that press statement by Randep Singh Sojayala and Casey Venugal and they said now to the press stop speculating we were only talking about Rajya Sabha seats etc. Now everyone knows that they were pulling wool over the viewers's eye. It's now set. It's now confirmed. DK Shivakumar is the next chief minister of Karnataka.

[00:03:14]Uh well yes indeed yesterday we have seen that how the Congress party had you know trying to uh to maintain a balance as he they do not want to take any kind of risk and that is the only reason why a neutral statement was been given on the part of the general secretary organization Mr. Casey Vin Gopal that the entire focus of this meeting was upon the Rajya Sabha elections and the MLC elections and in fact this particular instruction has also been given to the other leaders of the Karnataka Congress as well to maintain the official stand only that the the the discussion which had taken place yesterday was only about the Rajya Sabha elections but the party insiders are telling a different kind of a story. We have been told that how it was a separate meeting which had taken place between Mr. Sedaraya and Mr. uh Rahul Gandhi in which there was a discussion which had taken place in which he was being asked to step down from the position of the chief minister and now the latest information which we are getting from the sources is that the official announcement is likely to be done tomorrow as a breakfast meeting has been called by Mr. Sedaraya where he's going to meet the senior leaders of the Karnataka Congress uh before making any kind of announcement of stepping down from the position of the chief minister in fact we have also spoken exclusively to Mr. Satish Jioli as he is also the front runner in the race of the KPCC president and when this question was being asked to him he stated it very clearly that any kind of you know official announcement is expected after the tomorrow's meeting only and in fact he had also stated that whatever decision will be taken by the Congress high command we are going to abide by it >> okay the Congress high command by the looks of it has already taken a decision as you know there were backto-back huddles in the national capital yesterday now this is what ex happened behind closed doors Just quickly to tell you the details of what Rahul Gandhi's conversation with Mr. Siddharaya may have looked like.

[00:05:02]This we are picking up via sources. We are being told that Rahul Gandhi told Mr. Siddharaya is that the parties indebted to you for your work. This is what the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha has told Mr. Sidraaya. But he's also told him that time has come for you to give a chance to someone else. Uh we've been talking about this since yesterday. The fact is age is also not on Mr. Siddaraya's side. He is uh he is 78 years old. But Rahul Gandhi has said that what needs to be done is that the transition needs to be smooth. We will let you choose you know your time to decide when you want this transition to happen but the transition needs to happen. Now what about Mr. Siddharaya?

[00:05:40]The fact is that Mr. Siddharaya has been backed by Rahul Gandhi at least twice in the past to become chief minister which is why possibly Mr. Siddharaya said I will do as you say simply because uh simply because he knows that confronting Rahul at this point of time will do no good given the fact that Rahul is someone who has constantly and consistently backed Mr. Siddharaya on the other hand DKS has the support of Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. So this is what the conversation yesterday looked like. uh but there was a resistance as far as the congress high command is concerned to come and make an announcement immediately after the huddle finished after about 7 hours and there's reason for it Mr. Sidraaya said give me time I will do it but you need to give me time and that time possibly is tomorrow because the governor uh has accepted you know the request that Mr. Sedaraya has sent Mr. Mr. Sedra seeking time 10:30 a.m. tomorrow. Meanwhile, there is more breaking news coming in.

[00:06:38]Most seers have come say that they have met Congress President Malikarjun Kh to demand that DK Shiva Kumar should be the chief minister. When asked if any assurance has been given uh he said by God's grace DKS will be the chief minister. Uh what we are also being told is that these seers will do a hav in the evening at the bir mandr.

[00:07:05]See we are came that our karnataka most swami g organizations there I think 48 community swami in this organization. I am the state person swami pranawanandanda and then state and national leaders also here we are today came the core committee members only. So we are last 6 months we are demanding the congress high command because last two three years back is in become the make chief minister in Karnataka that time I think maybe the one one condition is one condition discussing two and a half year two and a half year the two and a half two and a half years the shakamar so abitro three aitro finished the three years now already over the three years the dukari want justice Meanwhile, the Congress seems to be applying the formula of if you can't convince them, confuse them. So, while one set of leaders clearly talks about a final decision tomorrow, another set remains and maintains that there is no chance of a leadership change.

[00:08:10]We will know only when comes whatever you know decision uh taken by the high command he will he will announce once again until and unless suju comes here and makes an announcement of whatever decision high command has taken that will be announced tomorrow by general secretary only after that we'll all question does not arise. Don't ask hypothetical questions. Yesterday KCAP has made a statement that in English that we have a discussion about Rajya Sabha elections. We are discussing our council elections and he made a public statement along with CM, DCM and Surja Walaji our assistant secretary and he said we discussed about Raj Sabha elections and council elections nothing else was discussed in that meeting and that statement is final I can't add up anything to that >> okay more breaking developments coming in from Bangalore we believe there's a huddle at the chief minister's residents as we speak. HK Part has arrived at the CM's home. Let me go straight across to Imran who is joining us live on the story. Imran, what more details are you picking up? By the looks of it, it seems the deal is done.

[00:09:47]>> Well, yes, the deal is done, but the chief minister supporters are still urging him not to go down easily. In fact, we saw in the morning too many of the supporters of chief minister in a huddle uh you know at the uh and asking him not to step down and even though he said that he has to respect Rahul Gandhi's words but they're asking him not to go down and at least have a CM of his chores and not to hand over the chie the chief minister of position to dishar. So they even still now the chief minister's supporters asking him to not to go down easily. In fact, we have Sumit also with us and who has also have some important uh breaking information.

[00:10:22]Now Somit over to you. What's the information you're getting us for latest now? Well, Imran as of now what we are learning from this sources is that top leaders have arrived here including Munapa, Salim Ahmed and also few other leaders and just a while you know ago they have completed concluded the meeting here and they left from this place and even we have you know taken the uh you know uh the exclusive bite from the Muna and he stated that as of now you know everything is speculation but he didn't turn down each and every uh you know rumor which is right now uh you know being spread across the uh Karnataka and you know about the key developments he stated that top leadership they are going to come down to Karnataka and by today afternoon itself they'll be here in Karnataka and they will be coordinating with you know each and everything with the high command AIC uh you know top leadership and then I know a key decision will be taken is what he has stated so we'll have to wait and see what is that key decision already you have accessed several names you know you have access several piece of breakings when it comes to the you know the key develop ments happening in the Bangalore city. So we'll have to wait and see how things will pan out. But you know transition in the top leadership is expected is what even other leaders of the camera clearly seeing.

[00:11:35]>> Okay.

[00:11:35]>> So where you see there senior leader K Muny is considered as close confident of DK Shukumar now he left to meet the chief minister but Sujaala is also be here at KPCC residence at KPCC office at 4:00 but hectic parliament already happening in Delhi and also back channel talks happening beyond the cameras and the screens. lot of power trust happening between the chief minister's you know residents there and also where Dikkeshikumar is in Delhi. Okay, Imran do stay on with us just to tell our viewers what are the various formulas that the Congress party is looking at where the Congress is attempting a balancing act in Karnataka over as speculation over a possible leadership change continues to intensify. By the looks of it, it is a done deal. Now sources are suggesting that behind the scenes there are attempts being made to plate chief minister Sidraaya because there are already as you saw uh people who are known to be close to him ministers and MLAs known to be close to him who are right now in a huddle with him telling him not to go down without a fight. So what is it that the congress has offered to Mr. Siddharaya to pate him? Number one what he's been promised is a national role for Mr. Siddraaya and Mr. Sidaraya doesn't seem to be very keen on a national role but that is something that has been offered to him.

[00:12:46]Uh in fact there are Rajya Sabha elections uh in in 10 states across 24 seats four in Karnataka. So one of the Rajya Sabha seats could be going to Mr. Siddharaya as well. Uh number two we are being told that one of his closest aids Satish Jiholi could be made the KPCC president. Right now the KP prespCC president is who? It is DK Shiva Kumar.

[00:13:09]Sati Jerkioli could be replacing DK Shiva Kumar as and when he's bumped up to the post of chief minister. So Jioli a frontr runner to the Congress top job and very importantly could we see a sunrise in Karnataka? I'm asking this question because Mr. Siddaraya's son Dr. Yatendra may be inducted into the cabinet is what we are being told. In fact we are also being told that plump post will be given to Mr. Sedaraya's aids. uh all of this happening to plate him. Let me go straight across to Zaka who is joining us on the broadcast. Zaka uh there are various formulas and permutations and combinations that are being worked out to plate Mr. Siddharaya but it seems by the looks of it Mr. Siddharaya has given in for the moment.

[00:13:58]>> Yeah, I think it was made clear to him in the meeting yesterday uh with the Congress leadership with Rahul Gandhi with Mr. Kay Mr. Sundial and Mr. Bupal that he needs to make way for a younger leadership not least because you know elections are due in a couple of years time and Congress party feels this is the right time the leadership of the Congress party feels that this is the right time to make that generational transition. Mr. Sudaya though feels and I believe he asked this to Rahul Gandhi why are you changing me if there are no complaints against me but I think this was again goes back to part of the original deal between Mr. Siddraaya and Mr. DKI Kumar that they will have rotational chief ministers for 2 and 1/2 years. Those 2 and 1/2 years that deadline has passed. It's been over 3 years now. In fact, recently the state government celebrated its third year anniversary in power. So now and and after the recent round of assembly elections, I think the pressure grew on the high command as well, not just from DK supporters but also from the younger lot in the Karnataka state unit that now if you don't do it then when will you?

[00:15:00]Also they uh remember you know Karnataka is one of the few states uh apart from Telangana now of course there's Kerala uh the Congress is in power in very few states in the country so they would not want to leave 202 I think the audio is not very clear we'll try and fix that but there's some breaking news coming in the Congress leadership is reportedly considering a major power sharing formula in Karnataka with the state likely to get two deputy chief ministers top sources are indicating that the high command is actively discussing an OBCSC representation formula for two posts.

[00:15:36]Essentially to simplify it, what it means is you could have one deputy C CM who's a schedule cast leader while the other is an OBC leader. Do remember that at this point of time the Congress leadership has a bit of a problem at hand because Mr. Sidra Maya is their only OBC chief minister as of now. Uh so it is something that the BJP is talking about as well. That is something that the BJP is also talking about as well.

[00:16:04]In fact, the BJP now saying and we'll just play out uh what the BJP is saying.

[00:16:08]The BJP is saying that what Rahul Gandhi has done is a move that is anti-OBC because he has removed the only OBC chief minister that the Congress has.

[00:16:18]Listen in.

[00:16:39]He has manipulated his way up through his u uh all all all kind of mannerisms and uh he was successful uh in Congress more and he was chief minister two times.

[00:16:54]So therefore I don't see immediate rebellion.

[00:16:59]Congress is never told the truth to the people.

[00:17:02]>> They have been telling who going to buy it.

[00:17:05]>> Whatever the statement the general secretaries have made yesterday, it was really childish of them. There is no no reason for removing him. And if he's going to remove the OBC leader that means it is very clear that he is not really for OBC as his grandmother and his father Congress minister.

[00:17:51]Let me go straight across to Mr. Shaker Ayar who is joining us on the broadcast.

[00:17:55]Mr. Ayar, thank you very much for your time. It has been a day of fast-paced developments in Bangalore. Uh but to my mind, it seems the deal has been done.

[00:18:03]As we speak, there are loyalists of Mr. Siddharaya who have come to meet him and they seem to be telling him don't go down without a fight. Don't hand over the chief minister's office to DK Shivakumar so easily. Uh do you think something will come of that or has the high command very clearly conveyed to Mr. Sedaraya that his time is over?

[00:18:26]>> Yeah, you are right. I think they have very clearly conveyed that uh the the rotation formula which was agreed upon more than 3 years ago uh should be honored and DK Shu Kumar who has been the Congress president when the party faced elections in 2023 and as well as Sidraaya who was heading the campaign rather the face of the campaign both had contributed to that uh victory of 23. Therefore, it is time as per the understanding which was reached in front of senior Congress leaders including Syria Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi that after 2 and a half years to a Sidraaya will step down and make way for dikes to take over. Now what we are seeing is after the elections in Keralam the high command has because it has been said that they are unable to make Sidraaya honor their commitment but the problem is Shya you know Sidraaya commands a majority support of the majority of the MLAs in Karatka >> so it is not easy to you know just fire him. So what we are seeing is uh yesterday when Rahul Gandhi conveyed that the I command wants him to step down and make way but at the same time they don't want it appear that he has been pushed out.

[00:19:52]>> So he has been given I understand at least a week's time to work out a manner in which he he will be eased out actually but then is a person who will not uh uh you know leave the chair so easily. So he's also looking for a hard park game in the sense he wants because he's not interested in Rajya Sabha in coming to Rajya Sabha being the obese phase at national level he has no interest outside Karnataka he wants to be only in Karnataka and he still feels that the party could have let him complete the term a full 5 years because after that he he would have willingly stepped down see all first his plea was that he should go down in history Karataka's history as the longest serving chief minister that he has achieved in January.

[00:20:40]Now he wants to you know can't go easily. That is why today even after you know all the media reports saying that Rahul Gandhi had conveyed the haikabad's you know decision you are seeing leaders like MB Patil coming out today and saying that lookal the ICC general secretary himself has said that it was not about leadership change it was about so you can see till the last you're going to see the loyalist of siddhaya are going to you know put pressure on the ikcomand that he can't be eased so easily Okay. So, Zaka essentially you're joining us from Bangalore this afternoon. Uh the Congress party making an attempt not to repeat what happened in Rajasthan. Uh giving Mr. Siddharaya an honorable exit via the Rajya Sabha route. He's clearly not interested in national politics but to sweeten the deal. I believe they are also throwing in a cabinet birth for his son Dr. Yatendra. That that seems to have sealed the deal. Zaka, is that what you're picking up?

[00:21:42]Well, I I think I I think well that will be part of the deal. No, no doubt about it. What portfolio and stuff? Of course, that will be up to the new chief minister. Uh but yes, part of the deal will be that Dr. Yatindra gets a cabinet birth. Remember, he fought from Sudaraya's old seat and he lost. Now he's an MLC. Uh that aside, I think the the motivating factor really and why Sid Ramaya is sort of digging his heels in, I think has to be twofold. One is legacy. He wants to go down in history as after Drajar's the greatest Karnataka chief minister or politician who is nonvocal non- lingayat for many many years now maybe the last 30 40 years in Karnataka. The politics has revolved around these two major cast uh groupings which is vocally and the lingayats. Uh to his credit Mr. Mr. Sidraaya who comes from the Kuruba community which is a a goat hering community which is a backward cast is arguably today the tallest backward cast leader or backward cast chief minister that the state has produced and he came up with this whole formulation of a hinda which is backwards dalits and minorities that is they far outnumber uh the vocaligas of the lingayats if he were to step down and dkumar in all probability becomes the next chief minister then what we will is a return to the familiar old politics which the state has seen which is an oscillation between vocal liars and lingayats and I think that is is is one of his fears his u you know his legacy sort of getting lost uh once his time is up in office that's one big concern the other as you rightly said his not just his son obviously his son is is an important factor but also his loyalists uh most of the cabinet most of the MLAs even today are supportive of Sidaraya how will they be accommodated and And of course the third one his own political future as Shaker said a moment ago I don't know if he's willing or is is certainly interested in a role in Delhi whether it is Rajya Sabha whether it is leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha I don't know if that's that's something that is appealing to him if he doesn't want to leave the state then what does he become inside the state these are the permutations and combinations from his point of view which need to be addressed and for which I think he's asked the high command for a couple of days time but the word that we're picking up is tomorrow uh there will This meeting a breakfast meeting of the cabinet could likely be the last uh cabinet meeting of the Sudraaya government after which he sought time from the governor at about 10:30 in the morning. We don't know if the governor's office has given time yet but our understanding is tomorrow morning after this last cabinet breakfast meeting. The chief minister will drive down to Rajbawan and tender his resignation.

[00:24:23]>> All right. By the looks of it, DK Shivakumar's dream is coming true after all. Zaka, we'll leave it there for the moment. Zaka Jacob there reporting from Bangalore. Mr. Thank you very much for joining us as well. Ladies and gentlemen, it's a story we continue to track very closely right here on Times Now. Do stay with us for the moment, a quick break.