Published May 28, 2026 | 12:51 PM ⚊ Updated May 28, 2026 | 12:51 PM
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar with Rahul Gandhi. (File photo)
Synopsis: Siddaramaiah’s request for 15 days to wrap up his commitments, chiefly the caste census report, was reportedly flatly refused by AICC. That refusal was the second shock Siddaramaiah received on Tuesday. The first had come from Rahul Gandhi himself. While the chief minister has maintained a dignified public silence over what transpired at Tuesday’s meeting, those close to him have been fuming.
On the evening of Wednesday, 27 May, perhaps marking his last official engagement as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah accepted the Backward Classes Commission’s Socio-economic and Educational Survey (caste census) report. There was a sense of urgency to the moment: he was expected to resign on Thursday.
If one looked closely, the submission had a detail that revealed a story of shock, denial and disbelief. Unlike most government reports, this one was neither bound nor branded, lacking even a proper cover page or illustrated paperback.
It was simply a stack of papers inside a light blue A4 envelope, with a hastily pasted black-and-white printout reading “KARNATAKA STATE COMMISSION FOR BACKWARD CLASSES REPORT – 2025”.
The rushed acceptance of the report was a direct result of AICC denying the one thing Siddaramaiah had asked for after agreeing to step down as chief minister: 15 days to wrap up his commitments.
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The biggest among Siddaramaiah’s commitments was ensuring that the caste census report was submitted by the Backward Classes Commission and accepted by his government. The exercise had been Siddaramaiah’s brainchild since his first tenure as chief minister began in 2013.
Despite severe opposition from dominant communities such as Vokkaligas and Lingayats, Siddaramaiah had long stood his ground on the need for a caste census. During his second tenure, in an attempt to placate leaders from those communities within his own party, he ordered a second survey – this time intended to be more inclusive, scientific and relevant.
His request for 15 days—time that would have allowed the commission to collate its findings, process them and present the report in a formal manner—was reportedly flatly refused by AICC.
That refusal was the second shock Siddaramaiah received on Tuesday. The first had come from Rahul Gandhi himself.
“He did not expect Rahul Gandhi to seek his resignation so suddenly. He walked into a pre-scripted meeting where nobody backed him. He expected Rahul Gandhi to be more accommodating of his stance, but he was shocked to find no support,” a close aide of Siddaramaiah told South First, recounting conversations within Siddaramaiah’s inner circle after his Tuesday meeting with AICC leadership.
Then came the refusal to give him any more time.
“After he had made his peace with having to resign as chief minister, he sought 15 days to put his affairs in order, including the caste census. But the AICC leadership refused that as well,” said Siddaramaiah’s aide.
Those close to Siddaramaiah said neither Rahul Gandhi nor KC Venugopal even allowed him to submit a list of his preferred candidates to replace him. “He was told the party would take care of it all,” the aide told South First – once again leaving Siddaramaiah in disbelief.
His requests denied and suggestions overlooked, Siddaramaiah quietly assured Rahul Gandhi that he would resign and returned to Bengaluru.
While the chief minister himself has maintained a dignified public silence over what transpired at Tuesday’s meeting, those close to him have been fuming over the party’s refusal to grant him even 15 days.
On the other hand, those privy to the AICC’s thinking insist that “then and there” was the only way to go about it. “It should have been yesterday,” a senior Congress leader said when asked whether Siddaramaiah had been given a timeline to resign.
The meaning was unmistakable: Siddaramaiah had already been given more time than what was expected.
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What it denied Siddaramaiah, AICC has gifted itself.
With a change of guard two years ahead of the next assembly election, Congress now has time: to manage the fallout of dethroning Siddaramaiah, to bridge organisational gaps, to plan for the election and to placate leaders, cadres and its support base.
In Karnataka, AICC has avoided repeating its Punjab mistake of replacing a chief minister barely a year before an election.
“Everyone believes the time is right. Immediate disappointment among the AHINDA vote bloc is expected with Siddaramaiah being replaced, but we have the time to resolve issues,” said a senior Karnataka cabinet minister.
The party, however, does not expect any sabotage from Siddaramaiah or those close to him. The Kuruba strongman has not placed any conditions before the AICC in exchange for his resignation.
He is, however, expected to back some of his supporters for cabinet and organisational posts. Most of his recommendations are likely to be accommodated as a mark of respect to Siddaramaiah. The party hopes this will ensure that no animosity builds within the state unit.
Along with time, AICC has also adopted a new buzzword for the Karnataka Congress unit: “collective leadership”. With the exit of its last mass leader from the chief minister’s post, the party wants to place collective responsibility on the next generation of leaders.
Even if DK Shivakumar becomes the next chief minister of Karnataka, he is unlikely to enjoy the kind of free hand Siddaramaiah did.
With the party keen on intervening at every step, including cabinet composition and organisational restructuring, the era of the “one-man show” in Karnataka Congress may well be over. Or at least, that is what the AICC wants.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
