The longest-serving Chief Minister in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, submitted his resignation in the Governor’s office today in Bengaluru after a breakfast meeting with his Cabinet colleagues. Addressing the media persons later, without naming D K Shivakumar, he asked the Governor to invite the CM designate to take up the mantle of Chief Ministership in the state. The Governor, who is on tour, has to return to decide on the resignation submitted by Siddaramaiah.

Two-time Chief Minister and two-time Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, with a history of presenting 17 state budgets, has resigned today. A proponent of the AHINDA movement in the state, which represented the backward classes and minorities, Siddaramaiah quit as per the wishes of the party high command. Protests broke out in several parts of the state today against the resignation by the AHINDA groups. On the other side, the supporters of D K Shivakumar rejoiced. Both Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar have left for Delhi to discuss further steps of electing a new legislative party leader and a likely cabinet reshuffle.