BENGALURU: Congress veteran Siddaramaiah ended his second term as Karnataka Chief Minister on Thursday, stepping down to make way for a successor who has yet to be officially named by the party. The change of guard, marked by a quiet exit, was infused with a touch of drama as the party brass kept the name of the next CM under wraps.
At a press conference later, the 77-year-old leader publicly confirmed that he had "humbly" declined the party's offer of a national role through a Rajya Sabha nomination, stating his desire to "remain active in state politics." Siddaramaiah had served as CM for a little over three years since being sworn in for his second stint on May 20, 2023.
As planned, Siddaramaiah hosted a breakfast meeting with his cabinet colleagues, including Deputy Chief Minister and unofficial CM-in-waiting DK Shivakumar, at his official residence before submitting his resignation. The meeting was emotional, with hugs, tears, and apologies exchanged.
Shivakumar held a closed-door meeting with the outgoing CM before the larger gathering assembled. He embraced Siddaramaiah and even touched his feet as a mark of respect. For nearly two hours, the ministers huddled around Siddaramaiah as he explained his decision to resign after five decades in active politics. "I have no regrets. I am resigning wholeheartedly," he told his colleagues.
Sources indicated that Siddaramaiah informally mentioned Shivakumar would take over, in line with the party leadership's wishes. However, during the farewell press conference, Siddaramaiah evaded questions about his successor, even as Shivakumar sat beside him, smiling throughout the interaction. "Whoever the legislature party and the high command decide will be the chief minister," Siddaramaiah said.
The Congress high command is expected to convene a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Bengaluru after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accepts Siddaramaiah's resignation, possibly on Friday. The outgoing CM visited Lok Bhavan around 3pm to submit his papers. Since the governor was out of town, he handed over the resignation to the Lok Bhavan special secretary.
In the evening, a special flight carrying Siddaramaiah and senior Congress functionaries, including AICC's Karnataka minder Randeep Surjewala, to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur due to stormy weather. This means Siddaramaiah's meeting with Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, who was instrumental in persuading him to step down, will not take place until at least Friday morning. Shivakumar is already in Delhi, having left Bengaluru on a different flight.
AICC functionaries in Delhi said it might take a few more days for clarity to emerge on the transition and the structure of the new government. Discussions are expected on the election of the new CLP leader, cabinet composition, and the post of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, which is currently held by Shivakumar.
Rejecting suggestions that he was forced to quit, Siddaramaiah said he "voluntarily" resigned immediately after the party leadership communicated their plans. "I am leaving office with a clean conscience. I have never run after power or money. I never thought of accumulating wealth. My political career of 50 years is an open book," he asserted.
Invoking his socialist roots and Ahinda (minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) politics, Siddaramaiah said social justice would continue to guide the remainder of his public life. "Had it not been for the Constitution, a simple villager like me would not have had an education, would not have become an MLA, a minister, a deputy CM, an opposition leader, and a two-time CM," he reflected.
During the breakfast meeting earlier, Siddaramaiah apologised to his ministers for any harsh words he may have directed at them, saying it was always meant to improve governance and protect Congress's interests. State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Labour Minister Santosh Lad broke down after Siddaramaiah said it would be his final meeting with the cabinet. Lad, who served twice under Siddaramaiah, was also seen crying in his car while leaving Cauvery, the CM's residence.
