Karnataka CM news LIVE: Siddaramaiah wants Shivakumar to be CM, says minister; resignation and press conference at 3pm

KArnataka CM intelligence unrecorded: It testament be, by all accounts, a restrained terminate to a tumultuous era. Over a breakfast at his official residence on Thursday morning, chief minister Siddaramaiah did what many insiders had long whispered was inevitable, yet few expected so soon.He is learnt to have drawn the curtains on an illustrious and distinctly self-made political career spanning nearly five decades. Sitting across from his closest Cabinet colleagues, the veteran leader reportedly informed them of his decision to resign from the top post.Siddaramaiah is scheduled to visit Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru shortly to tender his resignation. Following his visit, he is expected to address a press conference at 3 pm, the CMO said, as per PTI.Siddaramaiah told his Cabinet on Thursday that he will resign, sources said, though no official announcement has been made. Siddaramaiah hosted his Cabinet colleagues at his Kaveri residence amid speculation that he may step down to make way for his deputy D K Shivakumar. The two leaders embraced when they met, with Shivakumar touching Siddaramaiah’s feet and seeking his blessings.The chief minister is also expected to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Thursday evening, sources said, adding that he may reveal more about his future plans.As reported by news agency PTI, citing Lok Bhavan sources, Siddaramaiah has not yet sought an appointment with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. According to the Governor’s official schedule, he is currently in Indore.Two party lawmakers indicated that the 77-year-old veteran was set to resign. The leaders cited above also said that several formulas were being discussed if Siddaramaiah chose to step aside, including one where multiple deputy CMs are appointed.“I will speak tomorrow,” the CM said, after paying floral tributes to former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary.‘CM might resign at 3 pm’, says Congress lawmakerCongress lawmaker Ashok K Pattan said that the “CM might resign after 3pm on Thursday”. “He has already taken an appointment with the governor. About the next CM, the high command will decide,” Pattan told reporters.“Yes, there is a 100 per cent possibility,” he told reporters when asked whether Shivakumar was likely to become the CM.Senior lawmaker RV Deshpande also said the CM might resign on Thursday or the day after.“I was with the CM. He said, ‘I have decided to resign.’ I did not question him about why he was resigning. We tried to persuade him, saying, ‘Why don’t you continue?’” Deshpande said.“We said the decision was a surprise to us, but he said, ‘No, I have decided to resign.’ The MLAs who were there wanted him to continue, but he said he had given his word to the high command and would respect it,” he added.The developments followed lengthy meetings on Tuesday between the party leadership, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, with sources familiar with the matter saying the high command pressured the former to step aside from his position.