The Congress on Wednesday appointed senior leader B K Hariprasad as the new president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, succeeding D K Shivakumar.
The appointment came just hours after Shivakumar was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka along with 13 ministers, marking a smooth transition of power in the state.
Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had resigned from the post on Thursday after being asked by the party high command to step down.
Hariprasad has also been nominated as the Congress candidate for the upcoming election to the State Legislative Council.
Announcing the decision, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal said in a statement, "Congress president has appointed B K Hariprasad as the president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, with immediate effect."
"The party appreciates the contribution of the outgoing PCC president D K Shivakumar," the statement added.
A veteran organisation leader, Hariprasad has previously overseen party affairs in several states. He is currently the Congress in-charge for Haryana, a responsibility he is expected to relinquish soon following his new assignment in Karnataka.
Both Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramaiah congratulated the newly appointed state chief.
"I have resigned as the Congress president. Hariprasad has been appointed as the new president. He is a senior and honest worker of the party. He has been a Rajya Sabha member and an MLC...under his leadership, we will have to work to build and strengthen the party," said DKS.
The CM also indicated that AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge would file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha polls from Karnataka, scheduled for June 18, in a couple of days.
Meanwhile, congratulating Hariprasad, Siddaramaiah in a post on 'X' said, "There is confidence that your ideological commitment, long political experience, dedication to the party, and life of struggle will lead the state Congress party in a new direction."
Wishing Hariprasad success in his efforts to strengthen the Congress party and in raising awareness among the people of the state against those opposing democracy, he said the work of Shivakumar, who has so far led the state Congress party very effectively, is also commendable. "My congratulations to him as well."
