Congress veteran Siddaramaiah on Thursday resigned as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, capping months of power tussle over the top post with his deputy DK Shivakumar.The socialist stalwart, who surpassed Devraj Urs to become Karnataka’s longest-serving CM in January this year, said he was exiting with a clear conscience and resigning as per instructions of the Congress high command.“The Congress high command directed me two days ago to step down, and accordingly, I have submitted my resignation today. I had the chance to serve the people of Karnataka twice as CM, for which I thank Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge,” Siddaramaiah said after handing over the resignation to a senior official at the Governor’s house in Bengaluru today.Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot was not in Bengaluru and so the resignation was submitted to his Special Secretary. Gehlot is yet to accept it. Today’s developments pave the way for the installation of Shivakumar (64) as the Karnataka CM, days after the Congress leadership reminded Siddaramaiah of the promise of rotational chief minister-ship after half the term of the state government. That period ended in November 2025 with Shivakumar’s camp exerting consistent pressure for a switch.The Gandhis did not want a repeat of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh where the inability to honour the half-term CM-ship promise cost the party prospects dearly. In MP, Jyotiraditya Scindia quit and joined the BJP as Kamal Nath stayed the CM and in Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot mounted an unsuccessful coup against CM Ashok Gehlot. In both the states, the Congress lost the 2023 elections.In Karnataka, while Siddaramaiah made the announcement of the resignation in the presence of Shivakumar, who touched the former’s feet to take blessings, he declined the Congress’ offer of a Rajya Sabha berth.“The high command asked me to go to the Rajya Sabha. I declined it humbly. I am not interested in national politics. I will remain in state politics. The people have elected me for five years, and two years are still left. Till then, I will work for the people of Karnataka and for the people of my constituency,” Siddaramaiah clarified, triggering anxieties regarding the smoothness of power transition in the state.Siddaramaiah (80) rose to prominence in Karnataka after joining the Janata Dal in 1985 and cultivating a strong social coalition known in Kannada as AHINDA (a grouping of the marginalised and the minorities). This segment comprises 70 per cent of the state’s population, giving Siddaramaiah a natural electoral edge. This explains why the Congress could not but name him the CM in 2023 when it won comfortably. Party titan Mallikarjun Kharge also did not stand a chance before Siddaramaiah, courtesy his mass connect.But the latest internal transition, Congress sources say, is rooted in an anti-incumbency element sweeping Siddaramaiah’s term and allegations of corruption.Siddaramaiah, who began his public life as an elected district official of the Mysuru Taluk Development Board in 1978, went on to become the CM in 2013 and again in 2023.As Shivakumar readies to assume reins now, it remains to be seen how Siddaramaiah and his supporters respond in the long run. Shivakumar hails from the upper caste Vokkaliga community as against Sidda, who comes from the OBC Kuruba class.As the transition unfolds, the BJP has already begun attacking Rahul Gandhi for unseating an OBC leader while championing the caste census. “Rahul talks of OBC rights but fails to promote OBC leaders,” a BJP leader said.Meanwhile, there are indications that the new government in Karnataka could take shape as early as Saturday once Governor Gehlot accepts the resignation of Siddaramaiah.