Day after resigning as Karnataka CM, Siddaramaiah meets Rahul Gandhi in Delhi

A day after resigning as Karnataka chief minister senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah met Rahul Gandhi at Sonia Gandhis residence in New Delhi on Friday amid ongoing discussions over the leadership transition in the southern stateSiddaramaiah was accompanied by his son Yathindra during the meeting which is being viewed as a crucial step in determining the veteran leaders future role within the Congress after his exit from the states top postMeeting comes amid discussions on Siddaramaiahs futureSiddaramaiah held detailed discussions with Rahul Gandhi regarding the political situation in Karnataka and his future responsibilities within the party sources told PTIThe meeting assumes significance as Siddaramaiah has reportedly declined the Congress leaderships offer of a Rajya Sabha seat and has also expressed reluctance to take up a nationallevel roleSources 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 DelhiThe discussions come just a day after Siddaramaiah formally stepped down from office following directions from the Congress high commandSiddaramaiah thanks Rahul GandhiSiddaramaiah thanked Rahul Gandhi for giving him the opportunity to lead Karnataka and informed him that he had resigned from the chief ministers post as directed by the party leadership sources told PTISources also told PTI that Sonia Gandhi was not present during the meeting and that the interaction was exclusively between Siddaramaiah and Rahul GandhiThe veteran Congress leader is understood to have discussed the political transition in Karnataka and the future structure of the state governmentLikely discussions on cabinet formationSources told PTI that Siddaramaiah may seek representation for his supporters in the new Karnataka cabinetThe discussions reportedly included the possibility of accommodating his son Yathindra as well as several loyalists in the new governmentAccording to sources Siddaramaiah is also expected to push for key ministerial positions for leaders aligned with his camp including the post of deputy chief ministerThe final composition of the new cabinet is likely to be decided by the Congress high command after consultations with various stakeholders in the state unitMeeting with Kharge and senior leadersAfter 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 organisationCongress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala who was present during Siddaramaiahs meeting with Rahul Gandhi described the interaction as cordial and productiveldquoIt was a very pleasant meeting They discussed multiple issuesrdquo Surjewala told reportersWhen asked whether the leadership transition in Karnataka would proceed smoothly he replied ldquoAbsolutely There is no hurdle in the smooth transition of power in the staterdquoFocus shifts to formation of new Karnataka governmentThe Congress leadership is now focusing on the formation of a new government in Karnataka following Siddaramaiahs resignationKarnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot formally accepted Siddaramaiahs resignation on Thursday and dissolved the Council of Ministers while asking him to continue as caretaker chief minister until alternative arrangements are madeDeputy 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 governmentSources told PTI that the Congress leadership will also deliberate on organisational changes within the Karnataka unit as part of the broader political transitionCongress Legislature Party meeting likely on SaturdayA 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 PTIThe leadership change comes nearly three years after the Congress returned to power in Karnataka following its victory in the 2023 Assembly electionsA twotime chief minister Siddaramaiah joined the Congress in 2006 after leaving the Janata Dal Secular and has since emerged as one of the partys most influential leaders in KarnatakaWith inputs from PTI