D.K. Shivakumar elected CLP leader, to take oath as Karnataka CM on 3 June

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D.K. Shivakumar was on Saturday unanimously elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), clearing the way for him to become the next Chief Minister of Karnataka.

The announcement was made by AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal following a meeting of Congress legislators at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. The development comes after the resignation of Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister, which was accepted by the Governor earlier in the day.

Addressing a joint press conference alongside Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister-designate Shivakumar and AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala, Venugopal said Shivakumar would soon meet the Governor to stake claim to form the government.

He confirmed that Shivakumar would be sworn in as Chief Minister on the evening of 3 June along with members of his new Council of Ministers.

According to Venugopal, the CLP unanimously authorised the Congress high command to select its leader. Following consultations with the party leadership, the high command proposed Shivakumar's name for the top post.

The proposal was formally moved by Siddaramaiah and seconded by senior Congress leader G. Parameshwara before being unanimously approved by party legislators.

Venugopal described the transition as a demonstration of the Congress party's internal cohesion, saying predictions of factional conflict and a prolonged power struggle had proved unfounded.

He praised Siddaramaiah for placing the interests of the party above personal considerations and noted that legislators had unanimously acknowledged his contribution as Chief Minister during the CLP meeting.

In a symbolic gesture, a resolution appreciating Siddaramaiah's tenure was moved by Shivakumar himself, highlighting the effort to project unity during the change in leadership.

Venugopal also credited Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and former party president Sonia Gandhi for guiding the transition process and ensuring a smooth transfer of power.

The Congress leadership expressed confidence that the government would continue to function effectively under Shivakumar's leadership, with Siddaramaiah remaining a key figure in the party's Karnataka unit.

With the leadership issue settled, Shivakumar is expected to begin consultations on the composition of his cabinet before taking charge next week. The Congress also signalled its intention to fight the 2028 Assembly elections under a united leadership structure, projecting continuity and stability within the government.

With IANS inputs