Siddaramaiah declines Rajya Sabha offer, says he will remain in Karnataka politics

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, May 29, 2026: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said he had “kept his word” by resigning from the post following directions from the Congress high command.

Speaking to reporters after submitting his resignation to the Governor’s secretary at Lok Bhavan, Siddaramaiah said he stepped down in accordance with the party leadership’s instructions.

“I had always said that I would resign whenever the high command asked me to do so. Two days ago, they directed me to resign and I told them I would do it within two days. Today, I resigned and kept my word,” he said.

He added that the Governor would now accept his resignation and pave the way for the formation of a new government as the Congress enjoys a clear majority in the Assembly.

Siddaramaiah, who was flanked by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Home Minister G Parameshwara, avoided directly naming his successor. However, when asked about the next chief minister, he gestured towards Shivakumar and said the decision would be taken by the Congress high command and the Congress Legislature Party (CLP).

The outgoing chief minister also made it clear that he would continue to remain active in Karnataka politics and had declined the party leadership’s reported offer to move to the Rajya Sabha.

“The high command suggested that I go to the Rajya Sabha, but I humbly declined. I am not interested in national politics. The people have elected me as an MLA for five years and I still have two years remaining. I will continue to work for the people of Karnataka,” he said.

Rejecting suggestions that he was forced to resign, Siddaramaiah said the decision was made voluntarily.

“There was no pressure on me. I resigned of my own will,” he said.

Describing the Constitution as his “dharma” and the people as his “Abhimani Devaru”, Siddaramaiah thanked Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for their support throughout his political career.

He recalled how Sonia Gandhi personally welcomed him into the Congress in 2006 after his expulsion from the JD(S).

“My political life is an open book. In politics, only those who enjoy people’s support can survive. I never compromised on my values or ideology,” he said.

Invoking poet Kuvempu’s vision of equality, Siddaramaiah said every citizen deserves food, education, healthcare and employment, adding that the Congress government had worked towards fulfilling those goals through its guarantee schemes.

At an emotional moment during the press interaction, Siddaramaiah reflected on his journey from a rural background to becoming chief minister.

“I never imagined I would become an MLA, minister, Leader of Opposition or chief minister. If the Constitution had not existed, I would perhaps have been ploughing fields or herding cattle, as my parents were illiterate,” he said.

He concluded by saying that he would continue in active politics and would fight against communal forces till his last breath.