Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar arrives for the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting at Vidhana Soudha, in Bengaluru, Karnataka | Photo Credit: PTI

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was on Saturday unanimously elected as the new leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), clearing the way for him to take over as the State’s next Chief Minister on June 3.

The announcement came at a meeting of Congress legislators held at the Vidhana Soudha, where outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah proposed Shivakumar’s name for the top post. The proposal was backed by party legislators, formalising the leadership transition in the State.

Shivakumar’s elevation follows Siddaramaiah’s resignation, which was accepted by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Friday. Following the resignation, the Governor also dissolved the Council of Ministers, paving the way for the formation of a new government under Shivakumar’s leadership.

The Congress Legislature Party meeting was attended by party MLAs and overseen by senior All India Congress Committee (AICC) leaders KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, who were tasked with ensuring a smooth leadership transition.

Shivakumar, who has served as Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress president, is expected to be sworn in as Chief Minister at a ceremony in Bengaluru on June 3. Senior Congress leaders from across the country are likely to attend the event, underscoring the significance of the leadership change in one of the party’s key states.

Sources indicated that while Shivakumar will assume office next week, a broader cabinet expansion is likely to be deferred until after the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for June 17. Around 10 ministers are expected to be inducted in the next phase, as the party seeks to balance regional, caste and political considerations within the government.

The leadership transition marks the culmination of the Congress’ rotational power-sharing arrangement in Karnataka. Shivakumar’s appointment is expected to usher in a new phase for the State government as the party prepares for upcoming electoral challenges while seeking to maintain political stability in the southern State.

With the formal election of the CLP leader completed, all eyes are now on the composition of the new cabinet and the policy priorities of the incoming administration.

Published on May 30, 2026