SIDDARAMAIAH RESIGNS AS K’TAKA CM, DECLINES RS OFFER

Siddaramaiah resigned as Karnataka Chief Minister, clearing the way for a change of guard with D K Shivakumar widely expected to take over.

- ANAND SINGH/ TDG NETWORK

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday resigned from the top post, ending days of speculation over a change of guard in the state, but declined to name his successor, saying the Congress high command and the legislature party would take the final call.

Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation to Prabhushankar, Special Secretary to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, as the Governor was away in Indore.

He expressed confidence that the resignation would be accepted once the Governor returned to Lok Bhavan.

Addressing a press conference at his residence, an emotional Siddaramaiah confirmed that he had been asked by the party high command to step down.

"I was asked to step down by the high command, and I have decided to do the same," he said, surrounded by Cabinet colleagues and legislators.