Karnataka Governor Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot on 29 May 2026 formally accepted the resignation of Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah, dissolving the state Council of Ministers under Article 164 of the Constitution and asking him to continue as caretaker Chief Minister until a successor is sworn in. Shri Siddaramaiah had submitted his resignation on 28 May 2026 following a directive from the Indian National Congress high command and a mid term power sharing agreement that envisaged a change of leadership after the completion of three years of the Congress government elected in May 2023. Deputy Chief Minister Shri D K Shivakumar, who also holds the post of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, is set to be sworn in as the next Chief Minister, completing one of the most closely watched intra party transitions in recent state political history. The Governor acted in line with constitutional convention, accepting the resignation of the head of government and inviting the leader of the legislature party to form a new ministry under Article 164(1). The transition has been timed to give the new Chief Minister adequate runway to consolidate governance, complete welfare guarantee schemes such as Anna Bhagya, Shakti, Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyoti and Yuva Nidhi and prepare the state organisation for the 2028 Karnataka assembly elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. Analysts noted that the smooth transfer underscores the constitutional principle of collective responsibility and the political practice of negotiated leadership change within ruling parties without recourse to floor tests.
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot Accepts Resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on 29 May 2026 Dissolves the State Cabinet and Asks Him to Continue as Caretaker Chief Minister Until Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar Is Sworn In Under a Mid Term Power Sharing Agreement of the Indian National Congress Setting the Stage for Karnataka Leadership Transition Ahead of the 2028 Assembly Elections
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on 29 May 2026 accepted CM Siddaramaiah resignation under Article 164, paving the way for Deputy CM D K Shivakumar to take over under a Congress mid term power sharing pact.
Key facts
- Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accepted CM Siddaramaiah resignation on 29 May 2026 under Article 164
- Council of Ministers dissolved; Siddaramaiah asked to continue as caretaker CM until successor is sworn in
- Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, also KPCC President, to be sworn in as next Chief Minister
- Change of guard follows a Congress mid term power sharing pact after three years of the government
- Transition timed ahead of 2028 Karnataka assembly elections and 2029 Lok Sabha polls
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Which Article of the Constitution of India lays down that the Council of Ministers in a State shall be collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly and that the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor?
Article 164 provides that the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. Article 164(1) deals with appointment, Article 164(2) lays down collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to the Legislative Assembly of the State and that Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the Governor.
Source: Business Standard / Bizz Buzz
Frequently asked questions
Under which Article of the Constitution does the Governor accept the resignation of a Chief Minister?
Under Article 164 read with the constitutional convention that the Council of Ministers holds office during the pleasure of the Governor and resigns through the Chief Minister.
Who is set to succeed Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister of Karnataka?
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who also serves as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, is set to be sworn in as the next Chief Minister.
What constitutional principle is reflected in this transition?
It reflects the principle of collective responsibility under Article 164(2) and the convention that the leader of the legislature party is invited to form government.
What are the major welfare guarantee schemes in Karnataka mentioned in the context?
Anna Bhagya, Shakti, Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyoti and Yuva Nidhi are the five guarantee schemes of the Karnataka Congress government.
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