Bringing down the curtains on an illustrious political career spanning nearly five decades, Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday ended the days of speculation by announcing his resignation from the top post but declined to reveal his successor.
He said that he finds satisfaction in working honestly for opportunity-deprived, exploited and poor and declined the party’s highest command offer of Rajya Sabha saying he has no interest in national politics but vowed to remain in active politics and fight the communal forces.
He submitted his resignation to the special secretary to Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot as he was out of town. The secretary said that only the Governor can accept the resignation when he returns.
Addressing a press conference here at his residence, Siddaramaiah, who is the longest serving Chief Minister of Karnataka, said, “I have submitted my resignation with the Governor office. The Governor is not here and he hopes that he will accept it after he returns.”
Ab emotional Siddaramaiah confirmed that he was asked by the party high command to step down from the post.
“I was asked to step down by the high command and I have decided to do the same,” he said, even as he was surrounded by his cabinet colleagues and legislators.
He thanked CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge for giving him opportunity to serve the state.
“I have given my resignation on my own accord. Whoever the high command and legistature party chooses will be the CM of the state,” said Siddaramaiah, adding that he finds satisfaction in having worked honestly for opportunity-deprived, exploited, and poor people.
He declined revealing his successor. Siddarmaiah says High Command will choose the next leader.
Commenting on the offer given to him by the party leadership, Siddaramaiah said, “High Command offered me Rajya Sabha seat but I declined.”
Siddaramaiah said, “I don’t have interest in national politics, I will continue to serve the people of Karnataka.”
He also asserted that he got immense love and respect from Congress leadership and workers as he served the state twice as Chief Minister and Leader of opposition respectively since joining the party in 2006.
He also said that in his five decades long political career he has never compromised and worked for people.
Siddaramaiah said that he never made fortunes for himself. He also pointed out that he came from a humble background and never dreamt of entering politics.
He said I came from farmers family, then entered politics and became CM twice as Leader of Opposition.
He also expressed gratitude to his colleagues who worked with him during both his tenures as chief minister, from 2013 to 2018 and from 2023 till now, saying they had extended full support and cooperation to him.
He further slammed the opposition, saying even the Prime Minister Narendra Modi spread rumours about me.
The outgoing Chief Minister said that the opposition tried to spread rumours about him, including the PM of the country.
“They said I will not be able to fulfill the promises, they said the coffers will go empty. But we have proven everyone wrong,” he said noting that party had fulfilled all the five guarantees to the people.
Despite this, Siddaramaiah said, Karnataka’s economic indicators improved despite the implementation of welfare guarantees.
“After implementing the guarantees, Karnataka has the highest per capita income among large states. GST collection-wise, we are number two in India after Maharashtra,” Siddaramaiah said.
He also said tgat Karnataka’s growth rate had surpassed the national average. “In the current financial year, India’s GDP growth is 7.4 per cent, while Karnataka’s GSDP is 8.1 per cent,” he said.
The Congress leadership including Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala had met Siddaramaiah nd his deputy DK Shivakumar in Delhi on Tuesday.
It was in the Tuesday’s meeting Siddaramaiah was requested by party high command to step down from the Chief ministerial post. Siddaramaiah had remained tightlipped since Tuesday. Earlier in the day, he announced his decision to his cabinet colleagues and legislators at the breakfast meeting hosted at his residence before going to Lok Bhawan to submit his resignation.
