Will DK Shivakumar's cabinet strike the right balance?

After months of speculation and uncertainty, political shadow-boxing, several trips to Delhi and a series of diplomatic breakfast and dinner meetings, Siddaramaiah finally stepped down as Chief Minister of Karnataka on 28 May 2026, handing over the mantle to his deputy and chief ministerial aspirant DK Shivakumar.

What does the changing of guards mean for the Congress in Karnataka? What are the key challenges facing CM-to-be DK Shivakumar? And what next for Siddaramaiah?

Reporting by Nagesh Prabhu, Nalme Nachiyar

Video and Editing: Ravichandran N

Published – 30 May 2026 13:35 IST