Siddaramaiah’s Breakfast Meet Turns Emotional as Ministers Tear Up Over Resignation Decision

What began as a routine breakfast meeting at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's official residence 'Kaveri' on Thursday reportedly turned into an emotional farewell after the veteran leader informed ministers about his decision to step down from the Chief Minister's post. His current deputy and possible successor, D K Shivakumar and other cabinet colleagues attended the breakfast meeting.

According to leaders present at the gathering, the atmosphere inside the residence changed dramatically the moment Siddaramaiah spoke about vacating the post following directions from the Congress high command. Ministers who had initially arrived in a relaxed mood for breakfast discussions were left emotional, with several senior colleagues struggling to hold back tears.

The meeting had started on a light note, with ministers and MLAs sharing breakfast that included idli, vada and pongal while discussing political developments and government matters. However, the mood shifted after Siddaramaiah addressed the gathering and formally communicated his resignation decision.

Sources said silence filled the room as Siddaramaiah thanked cabinet colleagues for their cooperation during his tenure. Several ministers reportedly lowered their heads, while some stared quietly at their plates as the announcement sank in.

A few senior leaders who attempted to speak about Siddaramaiah's leadership became visibly emotional and paused repeatedly while addressing the gathering. Ministers later described the moment as more than a political transition, saying it felt like "an elder brother stepping aside."

Many cabinet colleagues are believed to share a long political association with Siddaramaiah, having worked closely with him over decades in both government and party organisation. Ministers recalled how Siddaramaiah maintained close ties with legislators, remembered MLAs by name and personally intervened whenever constituency or administrative issues required attention.

Leaders also pointed to Siddaramaiah's accessibility as one of the key reasons behind the emotional scenes witnessed at 'Kaveri'. According to ministers, the Chief Minister regularly met MLAs and ministers without hesitation, even on hectic days, and ensured development files and constituency matters were cleared without unnecessary delays.

Despite the emotional atmosphere, Siddaramaiah reportedly remained calm while speaking to colleagues. Sources said he reassured ministers and advised them to continue focusing on public service irrespective of political positions.

"Power comes and goes, but public work must not stop," Siddaramaiah is learnt to have told ministers before the meeting concluded.

As leaders left the residence, many were seen with heavy expressions, with the breakfast gathering increasingly being viewed within Congress circles as an emotional farewell marking the possible end of Siddaramaiah's tenure as Karnataka Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, according to CMO sources, the CM sought the Governor's appointment after the party high command apparently asked him to make way for a leadership change in the state. However, Lok Bhavan sources said Siddaramaiah has not yet sought time to meet Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who he has left for his native, Indore, for personal reasons.

As the political heat rises in the southern state in anticipation of a new CM, AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, on Wednesday, had clarified that the Congress has not called for a meeting of its legislature party in the state and that no other decision has been taken yet. He requested the media not to speculate on the issue.

The Legislature Party selects its leader, the obvious choice for CM. Surjewala, who arrived here on Wednesday, also met Siddaramaiah and other senior leaders. The development follows the Congress high command reportedly asking Siddaramaiah to make way for a leadership change in the state and offering him a central role in the party with a Rajya Sabha seat.

As per reports, Siddaramaiah has not immediately accepted the central role. Some sources indicate Siddaramaiah may have decided to step down because the message came directly from the top party leader, Rahul Gandhi.

The CM has repeatedly stated that he would step down if the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha asked him to do so. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were summoned to Delhi on Tuesday by the party, where there were back-to-back meetings at the Congress headquarters involving Rahul Gandhi, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, party General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Surjewala.