Karnataka leadership change LIVE: Will Siddaramaiah resign today as Guv Gehlot remains out of state?

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiha will be coming to Delhi today.

(Report: Vijai Laxmi)

According to the sources also said that the oath-taking ceremony for a new chief minister is likely to take place on Saturday (May 30). 

Amid ongoing political discussions within the Congress over leadership change in Karnataka, sources said the party is considering appointing three Deputy Chief Ministers representing the Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and women.

Probable names of deputy CMs

These could be the probable deputy CM names being considered by the Congress party.

• G Parameshwara / Priyank Kharge  (Dalit quota)
• Yathindra Siddaramaiah (OBC)
• MB Patil / Eshwar Khandre (Lingayat)
• KJ George / UT Khader/ BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan (Minority)

Supporters of Deputy CM and KPCC president DK Shivakumar have gathered outside his residence in Bengaluru amid the political developments and speculations around the CM post.

Meanwhile, taking a dig at the ruling party, BJP state president BY Vijayendra claimed that the Congress high command's possible "decision" was to replace Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after concluding that the state government had "failed" to provide good governance during the last three years. He also predicted mid-term Assembly polls in the state irrespective of who becomes the next chief minister.

As the political heat rises in the southern state in anticipation of a new CM, AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala clarified that the Congress has not called for a meeting of its legislature party in the state and that no other decision has been taken yet. He requested the media not to speculate on the issue.

According to sources, the party's central leadership on Tuesday asked Siddaramaiah to communicate his decision on stepping down from the post to Congress general secretary KC Venugopal. During the high-level meeting held in Delhi, Siddaramaiah was reportedly offered a seat in the Rajya Sabha. Earlier, it was also suggested by senior leader Rahul Gandhi that he may consider moving to the Upper House of Parliament.

However, Siddaramaiah is said to have informed the leadership that he is not keen on shifting to national politics at this stage. He has reportedly asked for more time to think over the proposal before making a final decision.

Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot is not in Bengaluru today; according to Raj Bhavan sources, he has had to travel to Mumbai on urgent business. However, sources in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said the plan to submit the resignation to the Governor's office would proceed as scheduled. According to the CMO, there will be no change in plans due to the Governor's absence, and the resignation will still be formally submitted to the Governor's office.

(Report: T Raghvan) 

Supporters of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah gathered outside his official residence on Wednesday, protesting amid intense speculation that he may step down. Police deployed outside his official residence, Kaveri, whisked away the protesters in buses as they shouted slogans. The protesters also raised slogans against the Congress leadership, expressing displeasure over the move for a CM change.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will host his cabinet colleagues for breakfast on Thursday, and later call on the Governor with his resignation. Keeping up the suspense, the 77 year-old veteran leader refused to comment on the raging speculations on Wednesday and said he would comment on the matter a day later.

A change of guard in the three-year-old Karnataka government seems imminent with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking the Governor's appointment, a day after he was apparently asked by the party high command to make way for his deputy DK Shivakumar's elevation to the top post. He is likely to meet Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, apparently to tender his resignation.