29 May,2026 12:32 PM IST | Bengaluru | mid-day online correspondent
Congress leader Siddaramaiah. Pic/PTI
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Friday formally accepted the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and dissolved the Council of Ministers headed by him, paving the way for the formation of a new government in the state.
The development comes a day after Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation following directions from the Congress high command, bringing an end to his latest tenure as chief minister.
According to an official notification issued by Raj Bhavan, the Governor accepted Siddaramaiah's resignation under Article 164(1) of the Constitution of India.
"In exercise of the powers vested in me under Article 164(1) of the Constitution of India, I, Thaawarchand Gehlot, Governor of Karnataka, hereby accept the resignation of Shri Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister of Karnataka. Consequently, the Council of Ministers headed by him stands dissolved," the notification stated.
The Governor also issued a separate communication directing Siddaramaiah to continue in office as caretaker chief minister until alternative arrangements are made.
The communication clarified that no major executive decisions should be taken during the caretaker period.
"I have accepted the resignation tendered by you with immediate effect. Until alternative arrangements are made, kindly continue as caretaker Chief Minister. It is needless to state that no executive decisions shall be taken during this period," the Governor said.
The notification further reiterated that Siddaramaiah would continue to discharge his responsibilities as chief minister until a successor is sworn in and a new government takes charge.
Raj Bhavan also forwarded the official notification to the Karnataka government through the Chief Secretary's office.
In a letter addressed to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Special Secretary to the Governor R. Prabhu Shankar informed the state administration that the Governor had accepted Siddaramaiah's resignation and dissolved the Council of Ministers with immediate effect.
The move formally ends the tenure of the Siddaramaiah-led cabinet, although the outgoing chief minister will continue in a caretaker capacity until the transition process is completed.
Siddaramaiah had submitted his resignation letter on Thursday at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru.
In his brief letter, he wrote: "I hereby tender my resignation as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. Kindly accept it."
Speaking to reporters after submitting his resignation, Siddaramaiah said he was fulfilling a commitment he had repeatedly made regarding the authority of the Congress leadership.
"I have always maintained, both inside and outside the Assembly, that whenever the high command directs me, I will tender my resignation. Two days ago, the high command asked me to step down and, keeping my word, I have submitted my resignation," he said.
The veteran Congress leader appeared emotional while addressing the media and expressed confidence that the Governor would formally complete the constitutional process.
Despite the leadership change, Siddaramaiah emphasised that the Congress government continues to enjoy a comfortable majority in the Karnataka Assembly.
"Our party enjoys the support of 138 MLAs and others have also extended support to the government. We continue to have a full majority. The Governor must now provide an opportunity to the next Chief Minister to form the government," he said.
The Congress Legislature Party is expected to elect a new leader, who will then stake claim to form the government.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is widely regarded as the frontrunner for the chief minister's post, although the party leadership has not yet made any formal announcement.
The political developments had gathered momentum after Governor Gehlot left Bengaluru late on Wednesday night, triggering speculation about the timing of the transition process.
The Governor travelled to Mumbai before proceeding to Indore in Madhya Pradesh.
Raj Bhavan had stated that the visit was necessitated by a family medical emergency.
His absence from Bengaluru had briefly delayed the formal acceptance of Siddaramaiah's resignation and added to the political uncertainty surrounding the leadership change.
With the resignation now formally accepted, attention has shifted to the Congress high command's next move and the selection of Karnataka's new chief minister.
(With inputs from IANS)
