Karnataka Power Tussle Live: DK Shivakumar pictured taking Siddaramaiah's blessings at breakfast meet

Barricades were being set up outside the residence of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday, with separate arrangements being made for the public and the media. Police deployment was also intensified amid speculation that Shivakumar could soon be handed the baton following the expected resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

A poster featuring Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president DK Shivakumar appeared at Bengaluru’s Mekhri Circle on Thursday as speculation intensified over a possible change in the state’s leadership.

Sources said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sought time to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and is expected to call on him after tendering his resignation. According to sources, the veteran leader wants to personally thank Rahul Gandhi following the party’s leadership transition discussions and may also politely decline the reported offer of a Rajya Sabha berth during the meeting.

Supporters of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president DK Shivakumar distributed sweets and raised slogans outside his Bengaluru residence on Thursday as speculation intensified over his possible elevation to the chief minister’s post.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president DK Shivakumar arrived at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s residence in Bengaluru for the breakfast meeting called by the chief minister amid escalating speculation over a leadership change in the state.

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot arrived at Indore airport on Thursday morning amid intensifying political developments in Karnataka. According to sources, Gehlot travelled from Bengaluru to Mumbai before reaching Indore earlier in the day. His movement comes at a time when speculation is mounting over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s possible resignation and a potential leadership change in the state.

Ministers, including Santosh Lad and Byrati Suresh, started arriving at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s residence in Bengaluru ahead of the crucial breakfast meeting amid intense speculation over Karnataka’s leadership change.

Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president DK Shivakumar gathered outside his residence in Bengaluru on Thursday amid intensifying political developments and speculation over a possible change in Karnataka’s leadership.

Congress MLA Ashok Pattan on Wednesday intensified speculation over a leadership change in Karnataka, saying there was a “100 per cent possibility” of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar becoming the next chief minister. Hinting at a major Cabinet reshuffle under a possible new leadership, the Ramdurg MLA said 15 to 20 ministers from the current Cabinet may have to make way for fresh faces. He also asserted that there would be no voting in the Congress Legislature Party meeting and that the next leader would be elected unanimously.

Visuals from outside the Bengaluru residence of Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president DK Shivakumar showed heightened political activity amid intensifying speculation over Karnataka’s leadership change.

Sources in the Karnataka Chief Minister’s Office said there will be no change in plans despite Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot being away from Bengaluru. According to sources, Siddaramaiah’s resignation will still be submitted to the Governor’s office even if the governor is not physically present in the city.

Amid mounting speculation over a possible change of guard in Karnataka, Congress MLA TB Jayachandra said all developments in the state are taking place as per the directions of the party high command. Referring to the meetings held in Delhi on Wednesday, he said several issues were discussed during the “marathon meeting” and indicated that the leadership’s decisions would be implemented today.

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot is currently not in Bengaluru after leaving for his hometown in Madhya Pradesh late Wednesday night due to a family emergency. Sources said the governor departed from Bengaluru around 10.30 pm and took an 11.30 pm flight. No return flight has reportedly been booked yet, amid intense speculation over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah possibly meeting the governor to tender his resignation.

(Nagarjun Dwarakanath)

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to meet Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot amid intense buzz over a leadership change, with Deputy CM DK Shivakumar emerging as the frontrunner for the top post after meetings with the Congress high command in Delhi.