•Siddaramaiah resigned as Karnataka CM after the Congress high command directed him to do so two days prior.
•Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accepted the resignation, which was submitted while he was away on tour.
•Deputy CM DK Shivakumar is set to take over as the next Chief Minister following the resignation.
•Siddaramaiah defended his government’s record, claiming fulfillment of around 300 of 550 promises and highlighting Karnataka’s top rank in per capita income and GST collection.
•He accused the Opposition of spreading false narratives and vowed to fight against forces undermining the Constitution.
•Siddaramaiah thanked Congress leaders and reaffirmed his commitment to state politics, declining a Rajya Sabha offer.
•The resignation follows months of internal Congress discussions to ensure a smooth leadership transition in Karnataka.
Bengaluru/New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tendered his resignation on Thursday, marking the end of a significant chapter in the state’s political landscape. The resignation, accepted by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, was submitted through the Governor’s office as Gehlot was away on an official tour. Siddaramaiah confirmed that the Congress high command had directed him to step down two days prior, and he complied in accordance with party discipline.
Addressing the media in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah appeared emotional as he reflected on his tenure, defending his government’s performance and highlighting the implementation of five key guarantee schemes despite opposition pressure. “I have tendered my resignation from the chief minister’s post,” he stated plainly. He reiterated his long-standing commitment to resigning when asked by the high command, saying, “I had said time and again that I will resign whenever the high command tells me.” He also expressed confidence that the Governor would accept his resignation, emphasizing its constitutional validity.
Siddaramaiah’s resignation paves the way for Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to likely assume the top post. The two leaders, who have been at the center of months-long speculation over a leadership transition, shared a warm embrace at the Chief Minister’s residence prior to the resignation process. Siddaramaiah stressed that the next Chief Minister would be chosen by the Congress legislative party and the high command in accordance with established procedures.
In a detailed defense of his government’s record, Siddaramaiah asserted that his administration had fulfilled most of its promises, including around 300 of the 550 commitments made in 2023. He highlighted Karnataka’s leading position in per capita income and Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection as evidence of effective governance. “After the guarantee was implemented, we are number 1 in the entire country in terms of income,” he said. He also dismissed criticism of financial mismanagement, stating, “They said that there will be no money for development work, and the treasury will be empty. But now, we are number one in income.”
Siddaramaiah also took strong exception to what he described as a campaign of misinformation and false narratives by the Opposition, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Opposition built many false narratives against me,” he said. He vowed to continue fighting against forces he alleged were working against the Constitution and promoting communal agendas. “I will fight against those who work against the Constitution,” he declared. “I will fight against communal forces till my last breath.”
Reflecting on his personal and political journey, Siddaramaiah recalled his modest beginnings, stating that he never aspired to political office. “I became CM accidentally; never had anyone from my family in politics,” he shared. He described his political life as an open book and reiterated his commitment to constitutional values, calling the Constitution his religion and voters his gods. “As a politician, I regard the Constitution as my religion and the voters as my gods,” he said.
Siddaramaiah thanked senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge for the opportunity to serve the people of Karnataka. He also confirmed that he had politely declined an offer of a Rajya Sabha seat, reaffirming his focus on state politics. “I am not interested in national politics and will remain in state politics,” he stated. He expressed gratitude to Congress workers, MLAs, MPs, and cabinet colleagues for their support during both his terms—from 2013 to 2018 and from 2023 to the present. He assured that he would continue to remain active in politics while championing constitutional values and social justice.
The resignation follows extensive internal deliberations within the Congress leadership in Delhi aimed at ensuring a smooth transition and avoiding a public power struggle between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. The high command had been working behind the scenes for months to facilitate the change in leadership in Karnataka.
