Mysuru: Shock, silence, and somber faces huddled around television screens marked the mood in Siddaramanahundi, the home village of outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as news of his resignation spread through the tiny settlement 25 km from Mysuru on Thursday. Several residents had left for Bengaluru on Wednesday to stand by him, while others clung to hope until the very end. By Thursday afternoon, grief had replaced suspense.
A Political Crossroads
Before the 2008 assembly elections, delimitation had pushed Siddaramaiah into a political crossroads. Chamundeshwari, a seat he had represented five times and lost twice, was split, forcing him to choose between his old bastion and the newly carved Varuna constituency. Barely two years earlier, he had scraped through Chamundeshwari by a margin of just 257 votes.
Emotional Turn to Varuna
Days later, at a meeting packed with supporters in Mysuru, Siddaramaiah broke down while announcing his decision to shift to Varuna, anchored by his native village. That emotional about-turn forged a deeper connection with the residents of Siddaramanahundi, many of whom still speak of him less as a two-time chief minister and more as "one among us."
"We are in shock. Siddaramaiah has done a lot to develop this village and Varuna. We are also worried about the fate of the work," said neighbor Anand. During a March visit to Varuna, Siddaramaiah had inaugurated projects worth over Rs 324 crore.
Accessibility and Earthy Style
Residents recalled his accessibility and earthy style. "Seniors call him by his name. Even after becoming chief minister twice, he didn't change," said villager Anjanayya. The decision by Siddaramaiah to remain the MLA from Varuna instead of seeking a Rajya Sabha berth offered villagers a sliver of comfort. "That is a small relief for us," Anjanayya added.
