Bengaluru: In a move that caught the state bureaucracy off guard, chief minister Siddaramaiah‘s additional chief secretary (ACS) on a contract basis, LK Atheeq, has resigned from his post. The decision came even as the govt faces mounting criticism over the deadly stampede at the RCB victory celebrations in the city.Atheeq, a senior IAS officer known for his close association with the CM, cited “personal reasons” for stepping down. He has already been replaced by Anjum Parvez, a 1994-batch IAS officer, who will now hold additional charge of the rural development and panchayat Raj department.According to sources familiar with the development, Atheeq informed his colleagues in a personal letter that he intended to spend more time with his family and travel overseas.He told his colleagues that he intends to travel to the US and then return to “take charge of his other posting as chairman of the Bengaluru Business Corridor and work on the peripheral ring road,” a senior official said.While Atheeq’s explanation appears personal, his sudden resignation has sparked speculation in both political and bureaucratic circles. Many believe it could be a strategic move ahead of the 2026 Rajya Sabha elections. Four seats from Karnataka are set to fall vacant next year, including those held by prominent figures such as former prime minister HD Deve Gowda and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. BJP holds two other seats.The timing of Atheeq’s exit has fuelled rumours of a planned political entry. Though he has made no public statement indicating such ambitions, sources suggest the veteran officer has long considered a shift to public life.Meanwhile, Parvez’s appointment has opened up another line of speculation. With current chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh due to retire in 2027, Parvez — who has a service tenure until 2029 — may emerge as a frontrunner for the top bureaucratic post in the coming years.The state govt has not issued a formal statement beyond confirming Atheeq’s resignation and Parvez’s interim appointment. However, the departure of the key advisor in the middle of the RCB celebration tragedy has added intrigue to the buzz in political circles.