BENGALURU, MAY 28 (AGENCIES): Congress leader Siddaramaiah quit as Karnataka chief minister on Thursday, paving the way for state Congress chief and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar to succeed him.
Shortly after submitting his resignation, Siddaramaiah, with Shivakumar by his side, said that the party high command had “directed” him two days ago to step down and that he had honoured its wishes. He thanked Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and M Kharge for allowing him to serve the people of Karnataka twice.
He, however, ruled out taking up a role at the Centre, including a Rajya Sabha seat that the party leadership had offered him, and said he would continue to work in his home state.
