Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah resigned after weeks of political speculation, submitting his resignation to the Governor’s Secretary in Bengaluru. The Congress high command will now decide the next Chief Minister as Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar emerges as a key contender.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday submitted his resignation, bringing an end to his tenure as the state’s longest-serving Chief Minister and closing weeks of intense political speculation over a possible leadership change in the Congress-led government.
The veteran Congress leader submitted his resignation letter to the Governor’s Secretary at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, Cabinet ministers, and senior party leaders. The resignation comes after sustained discussions within the Congress leadership regarding the future political direction of the Karnataka government.
Addressing reporters shortly after submitting his resignation, Siddaramaiah confirmed that the Congress high command had asked him to step down two days earlier. He stated that he had always maintained he would resign whenever instructed by the party leadership.
“The Governor was not in town, and officials informed me that he would return tonight. Therefore, I submitted my resignation letter to the Governor’s Secretary. I had already said both inside and outside the Assembly that whenever the high command directs me, I will resign. Two days ago, they asked me to step down, and I have honored that commitment,” Siddaramaiah said.
The outgoing Chief Minister appeared alongside Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar and Home Minister G. Parameshwara during the press interaction. While Siddaramaiah answered questions regarding his resignation and the future of the government, Shivakumar remained cautious and declined to comment on whether he would become the next Chief Minister. He simply greeted the media with folded hands and avoided speculation.
Siddaramaiah clarified that the final decision regarding the next Karnataka Chief Minister would be taken by the Congress Legislature Party and approved by the party high command. Political observers believe Shivakumar remains one of the strongest contenders for the top post, though the party leadership has yet to make an official announcement.
During the interaction, Siddaramaiah also revealed that the Congress leadership had offered him a role in national politics through a Rajya Sabha position, but he declined the proposal. According to him, he preferred to continue serving in Karnataka politics rather than move to the national stage.
“The high command asked me to go to the Rajya Sabha. I respectfully declined because I have no interest in national politics. I want to continue working in Karnataka. The people elected me for five years, and two years of the term still remain,” he said.
The veteran leader emphasized that his resignation was voluntary and not forced upon him by the Congress leadership. He also confirmed that he would remain active in politics and continue to serve the party and the people of Karnataka.
“I voluntarily submitted my resignation. The high command did not pressure me. Whoever is chosen in the Congress Legislature Party meeting and approved by the leadership will become the next Chief Minister,” he added.
Siddaramaiah used the occasion to thank his Cabinet colleagues and party workers for supporting him during both his terms as Chief Minister. He said his political career had always been guided by public support rather than wealth or power.
“I have never chased money or property. My political life has always been transparent. In democracy, only leaders who have people’s support can survive politically,” he stated.
Reflecting on his personal and political journey, Siddaramaiah described his rise in politics as unexpected. Coming from a rural background with no family connection to politics, he said he never imagined becoming a legislator, minister, or Chief Minister.
“I entered politics accidentally. Nobody in my family was involved in politics. Neither my parents nor relatives were politicians,” he said.
The outgoing Chief Minister also noted that the ideologies of B. R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Buddha, and Basavanna deeply influenced his political philosophy and governance style.
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With Siddaramaiah stepping down, Karnataka now awaits the Congress party’s final decision on its next Chief Minister, a move expected to shape the state’s political landscape ahead of future elections.
