(Image source from: Deccanherald.com)

Karnataka's Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Friday approved the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Siddaramaiah had submitted his resignation to the Governor's Special Secretary at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru on Thursday since the Governor was not present. In the notice, the Governor stated, “Using the authority given to me under Article 164(1) of the Indian constitution, I, Thaawarchand Gehlot, the Governor of Karnataka, have accepted the resignation of Shri. Siddaramaiah, the Chief Minister of Karnataka and have dissolved his Council of Ministers right away. ” Siddaramaiah will remain in his role as Chief Minister until new arrangements are in place. In the meantime, both Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who will take over, are in Delhi to meet with the Congress leadership to discuss the transfer of power and the setup of a new cabinet.

During a breakfast gathering at his home for cabinet members on Thursday, Siddaramaiah shared with the Ministers his choice to resign and mentioned that Shivakumar would be taking his place, based on the instructions from the Congress leadership, according to several Ministers who were present. This decision came after the Congress leadership requested Siddaramaiah to allow a change in leadership in the state and proposed him a significant role within the party with a seat in the Rajya Sabha. However, Siddaramaiah has not accepted this central position. Reports suggest that Siddaramaiah decided to resign after receiving a direct message from senior party figure Rahul Gandhi. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had been called to Delhi on Tuesday by the party, where they attended consecutive meetings at the Congress headquarters involving Rahul Gandhi, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, and party leaders K C Venugopal and Surjewala.