Karnataka Congress Change of Guard Boosts Rahul Gandhi’s Grip

By MANISH ANAND

Siddaramaiah’s calm and controlled exit as Karnataka Chief Minister has helped the Congress execute a smooth transition to D.K. Shivakumar, blunting BJP attempts to trigger an OBC backlash in the state.

New Delhi, May 28, 2026 — Karnataka Governor Thavar Chand Gehlot’s sudden movement out of Bengaluru failed to change the script for the leadership change in the Congress-led state government. Outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was unfazed with Gehlot’s absence. He handed over his resignation to an official in the Raj Bhavan, now called Lok Bhavan across the country.

Gehlot’s movement out of the city was timed with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders amplifying OBC bogey, claiming that the Congress was insulting the electorally influential community. Former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai in a statement to the media yesterday claimed that it was unwise on the part of the Congress to drop OBC face Siddaramaiah. Still, the script authored by leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi remained unchanged.

Siddaramaiah went firmly with the plan. He went to the Vidhan Soudha yesterday in the evening. The Chief Minister gave an official recognition to the backward caste survey. That was his parting legacy. On Thursday morning, he called his Cabinet for a breakfast meeting. Over sumptuous meal, he guided the succession plan to state that his deputy D. K. Shivakumar will succeed him as the next Chief Minister of the state.

Siddaramaiah scorched any scope for rumour mongering and speculation. The other hopefuls such as M. B. Patil read the signal that the Congress high command is in the driver’s seat on leadership change. As a Kuruba leader, Siddaramaiah has been the face of the OBC in Karnataka politics. His cooperation in the leadership change firmly sent out the message to his core support base that he was neither hurt nor sulking over the leadership change.

The BJP’s hopes for drama in the Karnataka politics remains dashed. The Opposition party failed to get the consolidation from any visible heartburn in the OBC community.

The Congress by executing the leadership change has stuck to the commitment given to Shivakumar. The Vokkaliga leader has been the political mainstay for the Congress in Karnataka for years. His firm command over the organisation gives the Congress hopes to retain power in the 2028 state Assembly elections.

By keeping Siddaramaiah in good humour, the Congress has succeeded in a smooth transfer of power, which seen together with the Kerala decision gives the party’s high command a new sense of confidence to work out a revival plan.

Siddaramaiah Exit May Mark Rahul Gandhi’s New Congress Era

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About The Author

Manish Anand

Manish Anand is a senior journalist with more than two decades of hardcore reporting on beats such as Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, BJP, Congress, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, and scores of Union Ministries.

His past has been with The New Indian Express, The Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, and The Statesman.

For about 15 years, Manish was also a regular commentator and host for talks on AIR on foreign affairs.

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