Karnataka CM News | "High Command Proposed DK Shivakumar As CM, I Have Agreed": Siddaramaiah

Added: 2026-05-29

[00:00:00]And this is the big breaking story we are getting to you here on NDTV the breakfast the power breakfast inside the chief minister's residence is over the siddaramaiah has said this to all his cabinet colleagues over breakfast he said the congress high command has proposed dk shivakumar as the next chief minister i have agreed to these big words from siddaramaiah the outgoing chief minister it is important we follow the directions of the high command breaking it as always first an exclusive here on NDTV is Deepak Bhopna who has been speaking to ministers while they have been having breakfast inside you know words that nobody ever knew siddaramaiah would ever say i have agreed to the high command's recommendation that dk shivakumar will be his successor it's done Deepak yes you know many were saying that you know we should really watch out for the next move Mrs. Siddaram is there going to be suspense is there going to be more drama he is putting all of this to rest shipi and it is an indicator of many things it is an indicator of we should right now give credit where it is due the high command problem handled this just the way they would like this to play out and you know they have done this in the recent past they have they have not repeated the mistakes of say Madhya Pradesh of say Punjab of say Chhattisgarh and even Rajasthan for example so right now Siddaram is clearly saying the proposal was made for me to step down for DK Shiv Kumar to take over I have accepted that proposal and now I want you to support him is an indicator that he has put out so that means when the CLP meeting happens you are not Going to have people you know really try to make things difficult. You're not going to have new names thrown around. It Is Making The Transition As Smooth As It Can Be.

[00:01:35]Now I am told very soon the legal advisor to the Chief Minister or someone else with him. Could be you know going to meet the Governor's Secretary because the Governor is not here. Today is a you know public holiday here for Eid and so the- the- the- the- the- the- the- the- the- the- the- the- the secretary is on the way to the govern you know all the things?

[00:01:57]Why do you want it from me but you were there in the meeting I was there in the meeting I have attended the meeting sir in all this thank you the honourable chief minister for guiding us in all these years ok thank you he has offered to his sir has offered he will speak to you he has already called a press conference he will speak to and explain everything to you Delhi sir CO ke dena sir today yaar sir going to Delhi.

[00:02:37]Okay, so there is no more suspense over the resignation and there is no more suspense over D.K. Shivakumar becoming the Chief Minister. The Negotiations That Are Happening Right Now Viewer. I have to be very clear with you. And the people of Karnataka are specially interested in this. The discussions and negotiations are happening on the composition of the Cabinet. Who is going to be the Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Ministers and where the power centers are going to be? Remember Siddaramaiah is flying to Delhi later this evening after he submits his resignation at about 3:00 pm. Where he is going to be meeting Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership over what the Siddaramaiah element in this new power center in Karnataka is going to look like. There is going to be a degree of push back from DK Shiva Kumar who will be appointed the new Chief Minister, but the fact remains that the high command still has its work cut out. Our Political Editor Vasudha Venugopal is with me live here. She has been working every day for Vasudha. Ah the resignation is happening. 3:00 PM Is Where It's Happening. Ah the Governor's Secretary is coming specially to the Lok Bhavan where the resignation will be given. Siddaramaiah will be going there and submitting that signification because Governor Thawar Singh Gehlot is not in town. He is an Indore meeting a relative.

[00:03:50]ah but that is proven to be a non issue.

[00:03:53]Because the protocol will continue as far as the discussion is concerned. Deepak breaking very important information that Siddaramaiah has communicated formally over breakfast that I am going with the high command's decision for DK Shiva Kumar to be my successor.

[00:04:04]Now what happens. Now what are the negotiations taking place?

[00:04:08]Speaking to people inside, they said that Siddaramaiah also took it in his comment upon himself to make it clear that he stands with the transition and he wants it to go on as smoothly as possible. Because I think that you know he wants to tell the high command. That's me doing what you wanted.

[00:04:21]Now you also give me what I want. And I think negotiations have also moved on, deliberations have also moved on to the other side of appointments which is Deputy CMs. Pressure groups, factions want at list three deputy CMs, one Lingayat, one SC and one OBC. It all depends on the high command to take their final call because the high command is also very clear that it.

[00:04:40]Meeting sir, just meeting.

[00:04:46]What happened at the meeting?

[00:04:53]No reactions coming in all the microphones spoken inside the VIP vocals as they come out but very few ministers are actually winning to speak one or two have said that you know we are we are thanking the Chief Minister we are thanking him for his service across all these years but many of these people who are leaving right now Vasudha are people who will be hoping that they have a spot in the new dispensation as well so they also don't want to overstep. Yes.

[00:05:19]Let All You Know The Whole Thing Happened Shift Because A Huge Section Of The MMLAs Move From The Loyalty Space To The Neutral Space. I think a lot of them are part of that camp. Who wants to showcase themselves as the high command camp, not Siddharama's camp, not D.K. Shiv Kumar Camp. Because now every call is being not just and by the center. Every decision is being taken by Delhi. Accept of course the menu that was served to them. And I think that is why all of them are living without speaking because they don't want to overstep, they don't want to be seen vouching for any leader. They want to take their own time and possibly we are also accommodated in the new Karnataka.

[00:05:53]I don't I don't I don't blame them ah okay.

[00:05:56]Yeah. The Governor will take the final call.

[00:05:59]Vasudha is breaking that crucial piece of information that the oath taking will take place likely on Saturday. But the Governor is obviously following the formal protocol here. Will be the person who takes that final decision.

[00:06:11]And the reason for that is also that Sidramiya will be flying to Delhi. Later This Evening. Which probably means that he will spend tomorrow there and then return to Bengaluru at some point tomorrow. And then Saturday becomes the oath taking ceremony. Just a very quick word. I want to show I want to show my viewers. The mad scramble that's taken place outside Kaveri. You know this is the Vinjaman Junction of Bengaluru a very popular spot. Look at the Matt's scrummage here. Huge amount of media.

[00:06:40]You can see Deepak also in the frame. And they are all scrambling to get a word from each minister. You know who is up in the air. They don't know if they got a ministerial birth in a few hours from now, a few days from now. All of that is part of the next chapter in Karnataka's power play.

[00:06:58]We Can't Call It Game of Thrones. But it may be a game of nobility. Game of Kingdoms really of you know what each of these ministers is going to have. Are they going to remain just ordinary MLAs and do they become higher powers in the new dispensation very very important but Vasudha's piece of breaking news that you just brought in Saturday likely to be the oath taking ceremony not tomorrow but it is still the governor's decision absolutely I spoke to the Congress houses and they are telling me the governor will decide will want as soon as possible the CLP meeting is also expected to take place D K Shiva Kumar has expressed an interest that he wants to be with spiritual gurus now remember Karnataka has is known for being a state with religious satisfaction lad the labour minister Deepak is breaking one of the closest confidence of Siddaramaiah's ministers when Deepak spoke to him Deepak did the chief minister get emotional well I am told that the chief minister was pretty Emotional when he speaks inside he is he is he is a he is not an expressive man usually but you in such situation ah you know he does get emotional and I I ask Santosh Lad that specific question Santosh Lad is very close to ah you know Siddhamayya we should also understand Santosh Lad comes from the JDS you know you know, ah these are people who saw Siddaramaiah not just from the Congress days but even before that. So it's very essential to see that Bourdain and today as soon as ask him that question. I could see tears and he held on to his eyes and then he could not talk he just moved I think we have got that on our camera problem will play that out for the viewers.

[00:08:21]We will play that out for view Santosh Lad Minister breaking down getting emotional when Deepak asked him weather the Chief Minister broke down inside over break.

[00:08:30]And and this this kind of shows ah you know the emotions that there are for Siddaramaiah.

[00:08:34]While we all look at it from a political lens shift there is a deep emotional lens that we should probably look at these pictures from as well because this is a very very significant moment in Karnataka politics it is the end of an era in many ways ah one of the tallest leaders at the state has seen when Yeddyurappa stepped down and he got emotional in the well of others I remember how serious that moment was and and this is going to be a very very similar and till now we have not seen pictures of Mr. Siddaramaiah making an announcement and when he does I.

[00:09:02]Kumar ji CM from which also he has agreed and he has told that to us and it will be a unique choice. There is no rift, no descent, nothing. DK Shivakumar will be the next Chief Minister.

[00:09:18]Going to know no he is not going to Raj Bhavan.

[00:09:22]Rajya Sabha.

[00:09:24]Rajya Sabha is not going. Raj Bhavan is going at 3 o'clock.

[00:09:31]Brother, leave it.

[00:09:34]HK Okay so the Congress ah Deepak come back here the Congress wants the oath taking to take place as early as Saturday. You know there is a concern and Vasudas just broke that news.

[00:09:49]Ah there is a egregiousness not to let there be a vacuum ah in Bengaluru for too long. A you know, in the current circumstances even one day is nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn eternity.

[00:09:59]But if the resignation takes place today at 3:00 PM like you've been reporting then the day after tomorrow is when that oath taking is likely to happen the final call of course is the governors. Yes a CLP meeting is a formality now considering Mr Sidrama himself has made it very clear to his you know cabinet colleagues and the leaders that well I have accepted what the high command has wanted. And he has also said that the high command wants this transition and he is the person who is going to take over from him. That that that that that that it is Mr. DK Shivaku. So he left no void, he left no suspense, he made this public. So, you know, now in front of the media, weather he is going to make this similar statement. That would really put everything to rest, it would end speculation, protest or anything of these thoughts. So, it really makes way for a smooth transition. So, if you ask me what's going to happen, and you know, tomorrow is probably, unlikely, that is where Saturday comes into the picture because everything will fall into place after a CLP meeting. The again Mr, you know, DK Shivakumar would want the Congress top brass here. He would want neighboring chief ministers to probably come here. He would want this to be a big event and he has been waiting for the Shiva for you know first 2 and a half years then extended by six more months. So he waited for 3 years for this moment. I'm gonna come to DK Shiva Kumar in just a moment because he is the you know he is the man in the hot seat now. He is going to be the Chief Minister in a couple of days from now. But you know the air of Siddaramaiah in Karnataka is not going to blow away Rari. You know the style of Sidaramaya's politics, the memories of what his schemes have been here. His magnanimous mass appeals across the Ahinda communities and others are going to be remembered for a very long time. Right now, when he goes to Delhi later this evening Vasudha, who will be accompanying him.

[00:11:41]I'm guessing AS Forna will be with him.

[00:11:44]But other than that who else will be with him.

[00:11:46]Because all the ministers will now be wondering ah wait, you know, we were part of the Muscle Flex Day before yesterday. Where are we standing today?

[00:11:53]Or, or, they all move to the neutral space but like Deepak Wood also agrees with me. Ah some of them are having a state fast staded with Siddaramaiah, and I am sure they will also be a company Siddarama, as he goes to Delhi, I am told that he wants to meet Rahul Gandhi, but, he will be definitely ask to meet KC Venugopal for sure. Because remember that KC Venugopal was tasked with the responsibility of getting an answer from Siddaramaiah. Congress is very keen on getting Ah Siddaramaiah as part of one of its Rajya Sabha MPs. It also wants gravitas heavy weight. And Rahul Gandhi also wants to showcase him as a successful, you know, former Chief Minister who comes from the OBC background has not been pushed into the shadows of recognizance of retirement because remember the four states that Congress rules right now. He is the only OBC Chief Minister and he is not resigned yet. For the Congress party, the optics is as important as what happens in practical terms. Because Rahul Gandhi's own politics is focused on this narrative in this campaign that revolves around the OBCs, SCs, STs, which is why the nature and character of the new cabinet is also going to be something that reflects Rajiv Gandhi's vision for Karnataka and not necessarily DK Shiva Kumar and Siddaramaiah, and you know the priority will be to make sure that this doesn't look like Siddaramaiah is being put out to pasteurize him, which makes what happens next a huge challenge because Siddaramaiah has resisted the entire idea of ​​him going to the Rajya Sabha. Ritu has just spoken to a man who is widely seen as being a very big mover in Shekhar of this transition and that is DK Suresh the brother of the man who is becoming Chief Minister take a look.

[00:13:24]Shiv Kumar Sir Sir long time dream of yours do you think its coming true for you Sir? One comment sir.

[00:13:29]Sir one comment Sir one comment.

[00:13:31]We will wait, we will wait, we will wait.

[00:13:33]Sir do you think this is a good time that is really come for DK Shiva Kumar sir?

[00:13:36]We will wait. But sir one third you have been long time waiting you have always express your thought about it that you want to see your brother as the chief minister sir so one comment on it sir sir everywhere now it has become very clear that he is trending the resignation chief minister sir so what would you like what do you you you you to thank you sir thank you sir you know DK Suresh being very circumspect Vasudha Ritu just got him and he said we will wait we will wait not wanting to put anything out but clearly also a personal victory for him because we know that he was on the front lines of this. I want to ask you now about the Deputy Chief Minister's post.

[00:14:14]DK Shiva Kumar will be getting out of that Deputy Chief Minister post and becoming the Chief Minister. Now the big question is who is going to be the Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Ministers because that is where some of the power flexing might actually happen and where Siddha Ramya might want to put his imprint. What are you hearing right now? I tell you what both the camps are thinking DK Shiv Kumar has made it very clear that the high command needs to take a call and of the three deputy CMs who are being talked about he says at least one should be of my choice but he has left to the high command because he says that he is confident of taking all of this as a probation thing and he is confident of making a mark by himself and he is quite happy that he is getting this post and he wants to bring in change by himself does not does not want to put any more pressure on the high command. The High Command is very clear that every decision will not be endorsed by the High Command, it will be decided by the national leadership.

[00:15:00]Siddaramaiah is also very emphatic that all his coterie members have to be shifted and he keeps talking about him being an ahinda leader which is why he thinks that Dalit, OBC and Lingayat, I know Lingayat, this is not what he is wanting for but he wants deputy chief ministers of two to be from his camp, what we are told is it there could be at least three or two or none. That's what the thing is because the high command does not want any more power centres because the high command also wants to put an end to this you know true this ever you know pretty story of ah facts between fights between factions it also wants to send out a message that the party is very serious about governance and management for the future and preparation for the elections that are coming out. It's a you know, ah the emphasis on the high command ah using this an opportunity to and the shadow boxing and this tug of war ah is innocent Vasudha. A you know if after all this, if after this kind of traumatic transition of power which has not been easy on anyone. If after all this also there is still some you know dual power centers muscle flexing, a siddharamya a you no spoiling DK Shivakumar's day etset. If that happens, it will make the high command look very, very bad. It will show that they have been able to use the opportunity of transition to solve this problem. Which they frankly didn't know how to solve all these years. But they have used a you know strategic compulsion of an ruling election. Ah in order to effect change and create this generational reset. But the pressure will still be on the high command in how it works.

[00:16:31]Now chooses the smaller elements. You know, the big work is done. She ah Sidramaya is out.

[00:16:36]DK Shiv Kumar in but even the small decisions like minister's representation you provided excellent details yesterday Vasudha about what Rahul Gandhi wants of the cabinet you know younger minority faces backward classes OBC Dalit etcetera the way this is going to go even with DK Shiv Kumar say you know I don't want a nitpick now you no give me a chance to be chief minister but let the high command decide these are all potential problem areas as well | Or you know Jagan the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh heads seven deputy chief ministers at one point and we know what really happened right? And we know I mean do even remember the Deputy Chief Minister that BJP has head in Bihar. We don't remember because Deputy Chief Ministers are often seen as ceremonial posts and also posts that are put in place for representation. Ah we saw the Maharashtra story of the NDA as well and for the Congress party the Deputy CM post has never worked. And they have always worked in advance at a disadvantage to the party because you also lead to different power centres and that is something that the high command is very clear that it doesn't want to do D K Shiv Kumar surprisingly has made it very clear that he is okay with everything that the high command wants in some ways he is also rearing to go he said that he will be deciding very fast and that is something that he is known for because he is not a sieve and ah the government the Congress party also decided this two and a half years before elections which actually is a good thing for the Congress party remember sieve point appointment in Punjab happened just weeks like three months before elections. So I mean we are comparing bad to worst here but then I think DK Shivakumar is also happy that he is finally getting this post and he is rearing to go and he is rearing to make the difference that the party wants.

[00:18:11]You know it's very important.

[00:18:12]Considering that he is getting what he has been fighting for for such a long time. May be some of these smaller nitty-gritties are being blurred out in his political vision right now saying that look I got what I asked for most. Let me not overstep right now and make too many detailed granular demands as to what the kingdom is going to look like.

[00:18:30]But you know one expect I also want to describe and we got Deepak walking around here. We'll have a meeting at the Governor's Office because 3:00 p.m. Is Siddaramaiah leaving from here an option to submit his resignation to the Governor's Secretary? Remember Thawar Singh Gehlot the Governor is not in town he is in Indore visiting a Sikh relative. Ah but ah Vasudha, the idea of ​​Siddaramaiah you know like you said when he meets with Rahul Gandhi and the leadership today, he is going to say like you rightly pointed out that I have done what you asked of me. Now here are some of the things that I want. And one of the things I'm presenting will be that I don't want this Rajya Sabha ah enticement or offer that you put on the table.

[00:19:14]I want to stay in Karnataka. Please respect my dignity and the optics.

[00:19:19]I want to remain in Karnataka but as you rightly said him remaining in Karnataka means dual power centres. You can't have a quiet, innocuous, unapologetic Siddaramaiah. So then what happens with the high command.

[00:19:32]Absolutely. I think the high command will have to honour a lot of his wishes because I believe that Siddarama is not just an OBC leader or a Chief Minister for the Congress party, he is a rationalist. He is often taken on, you know, the Hindutva ideology he took on the BJP on ideological terms. He comes from a very powerful family. He is at least from the Kurba, the Shepherd family and this is the kind of model Chief Minister that the party would want to show because Rahul Gandhi keeps talking about the most depraved sections of the party. Of course you know Revanth Reddy cannot be a model Chief Minister. And for that matter even V.D.

[00:20:03]Satish and who is very intellectual who keeps reading books all the time.

[00:20:06]Siddaramaiah was nationalist, secular, ah Chief Minister from the OBC background, who could be yours, you know, not just a ceremonial ah government person. The administrator who has experience, and who also in some ways shows at the Congress party values ​​ah you know people from deprive sexual society, but he is not a tharo congress person, who has also become a congress person in the last many years. D K Shiva Kumar by Projecting Him. The Party Is Making It Clear That It Rewards Organizational Loyalty. At the same time it also rewards people who don't want to, who are who don't rebelling against the party. In the last few years, we have seen so many people like Jyotiraditya Scindia leave the party on not a very good note. DK Shiv Kumar stayed on even during the most difficult and challenging time of the party. This is time for a reward, but at the same time it is also time for the party to reflect on the kind of contribution that Mr. Siddaramaiah has made, not just because of the community that he comes from, also because of the ideas that he represents.