Siddaramaiah steps down as Karnataka CM, says 'not interested' in Rajya Sabha seat

BENGALURU: Congress veteran Siddaramaiah called time on his second stint as Karnataka CM Thursday to make way for a successor the party still hasn't officially named, infusing the change of guard with a touch of drama that his quiet exit denied.

At a presser later, the 77-year-old publicly confirmed that he had "humbly" declined the party brass's offer of "a national role" through a Rajya Sabha nomination so that he could "remain active in state politics". He has been 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 his deputy and unofficial CM-in-waiting DK Shivakumar, at his official residence before handing in his resignation. Hugs, tears and apologies followed.

Shivakumar had a closed-door meeting with the outgoing CM before the larger gathering assembled, embraced him and even touched his feet.

For almost two hours, the ministers huddled around Siddaramaiah as he articulated the reason for his decision to resign after five decades in active politics. "I have no regrets. I am resigning wholeheartedly," he told his colleagues.

He informally mentioned Shivakumar would take over, in line with what the party brass wanted, sources said. However, during the farewell presser, Siddaramaiah evaded questions about his successor even as Shivakumar sat beside him, smiling through the interaction. "Whoever the legislature party and the high command decide will be the chief minister," he said.

The Congress high command is expected to convene a CLP meeting in Bengaluru after governor Thaawarchand Gehlot accepts Siddaramaiah's resignation, possibly Friday. The outgoing CM visited Lok Bhavan around 3pm to put in 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 ferrying Siddaramaiah and senior Congress functionaries, including AICC's Karnataka minder Randeep Surjewala, to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur due to stormy weather.

That means Siddaramaiah's meeting with Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, instrumental in getting him to step down, won't take place until at least Friday morning. Shivakumar is already in Delhi, having left Bengaluru by another 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 govt. Discussions are expected on the election of the new CLP head, cabinet composition and the PCC chief's post, currently held by Shivakumar.

Rejecting suggestions that he was forced to quit, Siddaramaiah said he "voluntarily" resigned immediately after the party brass let him know 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 said.

Invoking his socialist roots and Ahinda 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."

The breakfast meeting hours earlier saw Siddaramaiah apologising 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 interest.

State health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and labour minister Santosh Lad broke down after Siddaramaiah said it would be his final meeting with his cabinet. Lad, who served twice under Siddaramaiah, was also spotted crying in his car while leaving Cauvery, the CM's residence.