29 May,2026 01:20 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi with party leader Siddaramaiah. Pic/PTI
A day after resigning as Karnataka chief minister, senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah met Rahul Gandhi at Sonia Gandhi's residence in New Delhi on Friday, amid ongoing discussions over the leadership transition in the southern state.
Siddaramaiah was accompanied by his son Yathindra during the meeting, which is being viewed as a crucial step in determining the veteran leader's future role within the Congress after his exit from the state's top post.
Siddaramaiah held detailed discussions with Rahul Gandhi regarding the political situation in Karnataka and his future responsibilities within the party, sources told PTI.
The meeting assumes significance as Siddaramaiah has reportedly declined the Congress leadership's offer of a Rajya Sabha seat and has also expressed reluctance to take up a national-level role.
Sources told PTI the former chief minister has conveyed to the party leadership that he wishes to remain active in Karnataka politics rather than shift to responsibilities in New Delhi.
The discussions come just a day after Siddaramaiah formally stepped down from office following directions from the Congress high command.
Siddaramaiah thanked Rahul Gandhi for giving him the opportunity to lead Karnataka and informed him that he had resigned from the chief minister's post as directed by the party leadership, sources told PTI.
Sources also told PTI that Sonia Gandhi was not present during the meeting and that the interaction was exclusively between Siddaramaiah and Rahul Gandhi.
The veteran Congress leader is understood to have discussed the political transition in Karnataka and the future structure of the state government.
Sources told PTI that Siddaramaiah may seek representation for his supporters in the new Karnataka cabinet.
The discussions reportedly included the possibility of accommodating his son Yathindra as well as several loyalists in the new government.
According to sources, Siddaramaiah is also expected to push for key ministerial positions for leaders aligned with his camp, including the post of deputy chief minister.
The final composition of the new cabinet is likely to be decided by the Congress high command after consultations with various stakeholders in the state unit.
After his meeting with Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah also met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and held discussions regarding government formation in Karnataka and his future role in the organisation.
Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, who was present during Siddaramaiah's meeting with Rahul Gandhi, described the interaction as cordial and productive.
"It was a very pleasant meeting. They discussed multiple issues," Surjewala told reporters.
When asked whether the leadership transition in Karnataka would proceed smoothly, he replied, "Absolutely. There is no hurdle in the smooth transition of power in the state."
The Congress leadership is now focusing on the formation of a new government in Karnataka following Siddaramaiah's resignation.
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot formally accepted Siddaramaiah's resignation on Thursday and dissolved the Council of Ministers, while asking him to continue as caretaker chief minister until alternative arrangements are made.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is widely expected to become the next chief minister, is likely to hold separate discussions with Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal regarding the formation of the new government.
Sources told PTI that the Congress leadership will also deliberate on organisational changes within the Karnataka unit as part of the broader political transition.
A meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) is expected to be held on Saturday to elect the new leader of the legislature party, paving the way for the selection of the next chief minister, party sources told PTI.
The leadership change comes nearly three years after the Congress returned to power in Karnataka following its victory in the 2023 Assembly elections.
A two-time chief minister, Siddaramaiah joined the Congress in 2006 after leaving the Janata Dal (Secular) and has since emerged as one of the party's most influential leaders in Karnataka.
(With inputs from PTI)
