Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah officially stepped down from his position on Thursday, submitting his resignation to the governor’s office. Accompanied by his deputy, D.K. Shivakumar, who is widely expected to succeed him, the veteran leader finalized the transition after informing his cabinet of the decision earlier in the day. The two leaders presented a united front, with the 64-year-old Shivakumar paying respects to his predecessor in a moment that signaled a coordinated handover within the state’s Congress leadership.

Reflecting on his political journey, the 77-year-old outgoing CM defended his administration's performance against critics, highlighting his government's focus on social equality and welfare schemes. Siddaramaiah noted that the party's tenure successfully debunked narratives regarding financial instability, asserting that the state remains a leader in per capita income and tax collections. The change in leadership comes following pressure from the Congress high command, which encouraged Siddaramaiah to step aside for a transition that aims to avoid the internal factionalism that hindered the party in other states. While stepping down from state duties, Siddaramaiah has been offered a move to national politics, including a potential seat in the Rajya Sabha.