Bengaluru: Outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah turned emotional while announcing his resignation on Thursday, reflecting on his political journey and stating that he had never imagined becoming a politician or leading the state during his lifetime.
Addressing a press conference after submitting his resignation to the Governor’s office, Siddaramaiah said he came from a humble village background and had entered politics unexpectedly without any political legacy in his family.
“I come from a village. I never imagined I would become a politician, Chief Minister or Leader of Opposition. I joined politics by chance because no one from my family was in this field,” Siddaramaiah said while speaking to reporters.
The veteran Congress leader formally submitted his resignation letter to the Governor’s office earlier in the day, clearing the way for Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar to take over as the next Chief Minister of Karnataka.
Says he followed Congress High Command’s direction
Siddaramaiah stated that he had repeatedly maintained in public that he would resign whenever instructed by the Congress leadership.
“I’ve said it multiple times that whenever the High Command intimates me, I will tender my resignation. Day before yesterday, the High Command asked me to resign and I told them I would submit it today. Hence, I’ve submitted it,” he said.
The outgoing Chief Minister added that he expected the Governor to accept his resignation once he returned to Bengaluru.
“Once a Chief Minister tenders his resignation, he should accept it and make way for the next CM,” Siddaramaiah remarked.
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot is currently out of the state and is expected to complete the formalities after returning later in the day.
Leadership transition in Karnataka Congress
The resignation comes amid weeks of political speculation and internal discussions within the Karnataka Congress over a leadership transition.
Party sources indicated that Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar is likely to be elected as the new leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) during the upcoming meeting expected to be held on Saturday.
Sources also stated that Siddaramaiah is likely to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi later in the day as part of discussions related to the transition process.
The swearing-in ceremony for the new Chief Minister is expected to be finalised over the weekend, with Sunday emerging as the probable date for the oath-taking event.
Congress leaders said discussions are still underway regarding the number of ministers who may take oath along with the new Chief Minister. Rahul Gandhi is also expected to attend the ceremony.
Siddaramaiah reflects on political journey
Siddaramaiah’s emotional remarks drew attention as he reflected on his decades-long political career that began from a modest rural background before rising to become one of Karnataka’s most influential political leaders.
Widely regarded as a mass leader with strong support among backward communities and rural voters, Siddaramaiah served twice as Chief Minister and also held key positions including Leader of Opposition.
Earlier this year, he became Karnataka’s longest-serving Chief Minister, surpassing the record previously held by former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs.
Political observers believe Siddaramaiah’s resignation marks the end of a significant phase in Karnataka politics while also opening a new chapter for the Congress government under D. K. Shivakumar’s likely leadership.
Congress aims to maintain unity
The Congress leadership is reportedly attempting to ensure a smooth transition and maintain unity within the party following prolonged factional tensions between supporters of Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
Party insiders believe the leadership change has been carefully planned to avoid instability in the government and prepare the organisation for future political challenges.
Supporters of both leaders gathered outside party offices and residences in Bengaluru throughout the day as developments unfolded regarding the change in leadership.
With the Congress Legislature Party meeting expected shortly, all attention is now focused on the formal announcement of D. K. Shivakumar as Karnataka’s next Chief Minister.