Karnataka: Siddaramaiah tells why he declined Rajya Sabha offer, what are his future plans?
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah resigned from his post on Thursday, handing over his resignation letter to the Governor's Special Secretary at the Lok Bhavan.
Immediately after stepping down, Siddaramaiah addressed the media and reflected upon his long political journey. He stated that his entry into politics was a sudden occurrence and that he had never even imagined he would attain such a high position in public life.
"I have always maintained that if the party high command were to ask me to resign, I would do so immediately. Two days ago, they asked me to step down, and I assured them that I would submit my resignation within 48 hours. Today, I have fulfilled that promise," he said.
Gratitude to the Congress Leadership
Siddaramaiah expressed his gratitude to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, as well as to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, for providing him with the opportunity to serve Karnataka in various leadership capacities over the years.
"I had the privilege of serving as Chief Minister twice and as Leader of the Opposition twice. I am deeply grateful to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge for placing such immense trust in me," he stated.
Declines Rajya Sabha Offer
Following his resignation, reports suggest that Siddaramaiah declined an offer from the Congress high command for a seat in the Rajya Sabha, stating that he has no interest in national politics.
According to reports, he informed party leaders that he intends to continue serving as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Varuna constituency, which has served as his family's political stronghold since 2008. He further indicated that he plans to complete the remaining two years of his current term.
Will continue to play an active role in Karnataka politics
Even after stepping down as Chief Minister and turning down a Rajya Sabha seat, Siddaramaiah has made it clear that he will continue to play an active role in Karnataka politics. He said he remains committed to fighting for social justice and protecting constitutional values.
Over the years, Siddaramaiah has built his political identity around socialist ideals and the Ahinda movement, which focuses on the welfare of minorities, backward classes, and Dalits. He has also been one of the strongest critics of Hindutva politics and the BJP’s policies.
Meanwhile, the Congress leadership is carefully handling his transition after resignation. Party leaders want Siddaramaiah to continue as a respected and influential face within the Congress to avoid any unrest or division at the state level.
'I Never Dreamt of Becoming Chief Minister'
Speaking emotionally about his journey, Siddaramaiah stated that he hails from a humble rural background and never even imagined that he would rise to become a prominent political leader.
"I was a village man. I never thought that one day I would become an MLA, the Leader of the Opposition, or the Chief Minister. Becoming the Chief Minister was merely a coincidence. No one in my family had ever been involved in politics," he said. He also expressed his gratitude to Congress workers, MLAs, MPs, and his cabinet colleagues for standing by him throughout his entire political career.
He further added, "Since 2006, party workers and leaders have showered me with immense love and support. During both my tenures as Chief Minister, my cabinet colleagues stood firmly by my side. I will remain forever grateful to them."
Siddaramaiah went on to state that his political ideology is shaped by the teachings of Buddha, Basavanna, B.R. Ambedkar, and Mahatma Gandhi.
He remarked, "I have always believed that society should live together like a family, ensuring social and economic equality for all."
‘We Fulfilled Our Promises’
Speaking about his government's performance, Siddaramaiah affirmed that his administration made earnest efforts to fulfill the promises made to the people.
He stated, "In 2013, we made 163 promises and fulfilled 158 of them. In 2023, we made over 550 promises, and approximately 300 of them have already been fulfilled. We also launched five guarantee schemes, all of which were implemented within the very first year of our government."
Congress Hails Siddaramaiah's 'Selfless Decision' to Step Down
On Thursday, the Congress party lauded Siddaramaiah's "selfless" decision to step down from the post of Chief Minister of Karnataka and facilitate a smooth transition of leadership in the state. Senior party leaders shared photographs of Siddaramaiah embracing Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar—the man expected to succeed him.
AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal described Siddaramaiah as "peerless" and praised his tenure, characterizing it as a transformative administration that benefited all sections of society, particularly the poor and the marginalized. He noted that Siddaramaiah's conduct reflected both dignity and political acumen, and that he prioritized the party's interests above his own personal ambitions.
Congress leader Randeep Surjewala posted, "We stand united... for Karnataka, for the people, for the Congress."