Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced his retirement from electoral politics, while asserting that he will continue to remain active in public life and work for the Congress and the people.
Addressing a gathering during the 86th birth anniversary celebrations of former Speaker, the late ‘K.R. Pet’ Krishna, at K.R. Pet town in Mandya district on Saturday, the veteran Congress leader said he would not contest the 2028 Assembly elections.
The announcement came after supporters urged him to remain in electoral politics for another decade. Mr. Siddaramaiah, who represents the Varuna Assembly constituency, categorically stated that he would not seek re-election in 2028.
His remarks prompted many in the audience to appeal to him to reconsider the decision. The announcement also disappointed many of his supporters and loyalists in the Congress, several of whom want the 79-year-old leader to continue in active electoral politics.
Mr. Siddaramaiah, Karnataka’s longest-serving Chief Minister after surpassing the record of D. Devaraj Urs, reiterated that he would remain active in politics despite stepping away from electoral contests.
After demitting office as Chief Minister this May to make way for D.K. Shivakumar, Mr. Siddaramaiah had said he would continue serving the people and undertake any responsibility assigned by the Congress high command.
He had also declined the party’s reported offer of a Rajya Sabha seat, saying he was not interested in national politics.
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The Hindu
‘Polluted’ and honest politics’
After his announcement in KR Pet, in a Facebook post, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the changing nature of politics had influenced his decision. “Politics has become polluted. Therefore, I have decided not to contest the 2028 Assembly elections. However, I will remain active in politics, stay with the people and continue to support them,” he said.
Recalling his political journey, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he entered public life in 1978 as a member of the Taluk Board and would complete 50 years in politics in 2028. “I have witnessed both victory and defeat, but I have never compromised on my ideology or betrayed my conscience. That gives me immense satisfaction,” he said.
Expressing concern over the present political nature, he said honest politics had become increasingly difficult. “There was a time when people voluntarily contributed money to help me contest elections. Today, the situation has changed, wherein money has to be given to people if one contests elections. There is no scope for honest politics. Considering this reality, along with my age and health, I have decided not to contest elections,” he said.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said he would be around 80 or 81 years of age when the next Assembly term begins and acknowledged that advancing age and health considerations would limit his ability to work with the same energy.
Thanking the people of Karnataka for their unwavering support over the past five decades, he said, “The people of Karnataka have treated me as one among them and showered me with love and affection. I remain indebted to them and will continue to work for their welfare.”
In Pictures | Siddaramaiah: From lawyer to Karnataka’s longest-serving CM
Siddaramaiah B, Minister of State, (Photographed during the Karnataka Assembly Elections, March 1985).
A 1989 picture of Siddaramaiah (right) with his friend found at his relative’s home in Siddaramanahundi village in Mysore district on May 10, 2013.
Taking the oath as Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services in the Ramakrishna Hegde government, along with (far left) B.R. Yavagal, P.G.R. Sindhia and M.P. Prakash.
Siddaramaiah seen with Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde.
A 1995 image of a visibly tired Chief Minister H. D. Deve Gowda being briefed by the Finance Minister Siddaramaiah at the Zilla Panchayat members
meeting in Bangalore at a symbolic “panchayat katte”.
Siddaramaiah taking oath as Deputy Chief minister in the presence of Chief Minister J H Patel and Governor Kurshid Alam Khan in 1996.
Siddaramaiah, presenting the State Budget for 1997-98 as Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister of Karnataka, in Bengaluru.
Siddaramaiah as JD(S) state president seen with H.D. Deve Gowda on February 5, 2002.
Former Prime Minister and JD(S) national president H.D. Deve Gowda with Siddaramaiah, who was elected as legislative party leader, after the legislative party meeting in Bangalore, on May 16, 2004.
Siddaramaiah, then State president of Janata Dal (S), waving to the crowd, in front of the H.D. Deve Gowda’s residence at Padmanabanagar, in Bangalore on May 14, 2004.
Siddaramaiah, then Deputy CM, browsing a newspaper carrying photographs of his swearing-in ceremonyin Bangalore on May 29, 2004.
CM Dharam Singh and Deputy CM Siddaramaiah after the swearing in ceremony in Bangalore on May 28, 2004.
The Deputy Chief Minister and JD(S) State President Siddaramaiah accorded a rousing welcome by his supporters on his first visit to Mysore after assuming charge as Deputy CM in 2004.
S. Siddaramaiah getting ready to present the State Budget for the year 2004-05 in Bangalore on July 19, 2004.
Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah collects donations for tsunami-hit victims as part of his padayatra in Mysore in January 2005.
Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, KPCC President R.V. Deshpande and others take a break during the padayatra from Bangalore to Bellary Padayatra in July 2010.
Siddaramaiah, announced Chief Minister elect, waves after the Congress Legislative Party Meeting (CLP) at KPCC on April 10, 2013.
A supporter flashes a tattoo of Congress leader Siddaramaiah, near his residence in Bengaluru on May 17, 2023.
KPCC Chief Siddaramaiah (left) is sworn in as Chief Minister by Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj during the swearing-in ceremony at Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore on May 13, 2013.
President of Congress party Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wave at villagers and youth Congress members during a Padayatra at Ranebennur in Haveri District on October 10, 2015.
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Published – July 26, 2026 05:53 pm IST
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