Siddaramaiah says he won’t contest 2028 polls, paving the way for his son after five decades of politics
The former chief minister, who handed over his post to DK Shivakumar last month, said he will continue to remain active in public life despite stepping away from electoral politics.
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In a post on
“Politics today is thoroughly corrupt. Now, if we want to participate in the elections, we have to distribute money. Honest politics is under threat,” he said, adding that he would continue to raise his voice on behalf of the people.
Siddaramaiah, who built his political base around the AHNDA coalition consisting of minorities, Other Backward Classes and Dalits, made a similar statement when he became the first prime minister in 2013. However, he returned to the electoral fray in 2018, contesting from Chamundeshwari and Badami. He lost in Chamundeshwari, won from Badami and later contested and won against Varuna in 2023 before becoming the chief minister for the second term. His son Yatindra, who left Varuna for Siddaramaiah in 2023, is a member of the legislative council.
Also Read: Rahul Gandhi pushes young faces as Karnataka Cabinet expansion loomsSiddaramaiah said supporters in Varuna had been urging him to contest again, but he had decided against seeking a new term.
“In the past, people in my constituency pooled resources and helped me win elections. Today, that is no longer the case,” he said.
Siddaramaiah, 79, said his age and health also influenced his decision. He will be 82 years old when the current Congress government’s term ends.
“My health is not the same as before. I cannot work with the same energy as before,” he said.
The 2028 elections will also mark 50 years since Siddaramaiah entered public life as a taluk board member in 1978.
“I have seen both victories and defeats. But I never compromised on my principles or acted against my conscience,” he said.
