Bengaluru | Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Thursday resigned from the Karnataka Chief Minister's position, two days after the party high command asked him to step down, ending days of intense power tussle with deputy D K Shivkumar and clearing the way for the leadership change in the state.
Flanked by his deputy and probable successor Shivakumar, and other cabinet colleagues, Siddaramaiah addressed a packed press conference shortly after submitting his resignation to the Governor's Special Secretary at Lok Bhavan here. Special Secretary Prabhu Shankar received the resignation in the absence of Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who was out of the state.
"I have tendered my resignation from the Chief Minister's post," the 77-year-old leader told reporters, while expressing confidence that the Governor would accept his resignation as per constitutional provisions.
Siddaramaiah also said that he had made it clear time and again that he would resign whenever the high command instructed him to do so.
"The high command directed me two days ago to step down, and accordingly, I submitted my resignation today. I got the opportunity to serve the people of Karnataka twice, for which I thank Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge," he said.
He claimed that he "politely declined" the Congress high command's Rajya Sabha seat offer, asserting that he would remain in active politics for at least the remaining two years of his term as Varuna constituency MLA.
"The high command asked me to go to the Rajya Sabha. I declined it humbly. I am not interested in national politics. I will remain in state politics. The people have elected me for five years, and two years are still left. Till then, I will work for the people of Karnataka and for my constituency," he said.
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah's supporters staged protests in several parts of the state against his resignation.
Emotional scenes were witnessed at Siddaramaiah's official residence here, as a large group of supporters almost surrounded him, asking him not to resign. The chief minister tried to comfort them.
Celebrations were seen near Shivakumar's residence following indications that he will be the next chief minister of the state. Several Congress leaders and legislators visited Shivakumar's residence to greet him.
Shortly after the press conference, sources said, Siddaramaiah left for New Delhi, where he is likely to meet the Congress high command regarding his successor and the cabinet formation exercise.
Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress President, also left for Delhi, his office said.
According to party sources, discussions related to selecting a new legislature party leader, ministry composition, and other modalities, including the state Congress President post, which is currently held by Shivakumar, are likely to be discussed with the high command during the Delhi visit. They said clarity may emerge on all these in a day or two.
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the coveted chief minister's post after Congress won the May 2023 Assembly election. The party then managed to convince Shivakumar and made him the deputy CM.
Reports at the time suggested a compromise based on a "rotational chief minister formula," under which Shivakumar would become CM after two-and-a-half years, but there was no official confirmation from the party or the two leaders.
Earlier in the day at a breakfast hosted at his residence for cabinet colleagues, Siddaramaiah informed ministers of his decision to step down and stated that Shivakumar would be his successor, as per the directions of the Congress high command, said several ministers, who were present during the meeting.
When questioned about the next Chief Minister during the press conference, Siddaramaiah said, "whoever the legislature party and the high command decides will be the Chief Minister of the state."
Asked about Shivakumar becoming chief minister, his brother and former Congress MP D K Suresh said, "Let's all wait for the party decision."
In a picture shared by the Chief Minister's Office from the breakfast meeting, Siddaramaiah was seen hugging an emotional Shivakumar. In another, Shivakumar was seen touching the feet of Siddaramaiah and taking his blessings.
A few ministers became emotional during the breakfast meeting, according to sources.
Siddaramaiah shared an emotional message thanking the people of Karnataka for their love and support during his tenure as chief minister. He also posted on X a photograph of himself standing on a stage with folded hands before a gathering in a gesture of gratitude.
He wrote, "Thank you. Your love. Your trust. My forever strength." The message appeared on the photograph carrying his signature.
Some sources indicate Siddaramaiah decided to step down because the message came directly from top party leader Rahul Gandhi.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were summoned to Delhi on Tuesday by the party, where there were back-to-back meetings at the Congress headquarters involving Rahul Gandhi, AICC President Kharge, party General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala.
During the press conference, Siddaramaiah asserted that he had never compromised on values and ideology and had never run after power or money. Also, he had never thought about accumulating wealth, and his political career of 50 years was an open book.
Bengaluru | Siddaramaiah, who resigned as Karnataka Chief Minister, on Thursday claimed that he "politely declined" the Congress high command's Rajya Sabha seat offer.
He asserted that he would remain in active politics for at least the remaining two years of his term as Varuna constituency MLA.
"The high command asked me to go to the Rajya Sabha. I declined it humbly. I am not interested in national politics," Siddaramaiah said.
Addressing a packed press conference at his residential office -- Krishna -- shortly after submitting his resignation to the Governor's Special Secretary at Lok Bhavan here, he said he would stay grounded in state politics.
"I will remain in state politics. The people have elected me for five years, and two years are still left. Till then, I will work for the people of Karnataka and for the people of my constituency," he added.
Asked about his future journey in politics, the Congress leader said he will continue to be active in politics and fight against communal forces.
When asked about the actual reason behind his resignation, he said he had been saying from the beginning that he would resign whenever the high command asks him to do so.
To a question whether there was any pressure from the party's top brass, he said, "What pressure? I voluntarily resigned immediately after they (high command) asked me to do so."
Bengaluru | Supporters of Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Thursday staged protests in several parts of Karnataka against his decision to step down as chief minister.
Emotional scenes were witnessed outside his official residence, Kaveri, in Bengaluru, where a large number of supporters gathered and surrounded him, urging him not to step down.
Siddaramaiah was seen trying to console them.
As he was about to leave for Lok Bhavan to submit his resignation, emotions ran high, with some supporters attempting to block his vehicle to prevent him from leaving.
In Shivamogga city, supporters staged a protest at Shivappa Nayaka Circle, with members of the Kuruba community leading the demonstration.
Expressing displeasure over Siddaramaiah’s resignation, protesters burnt tyres and raised slogans in support of the chief minister. They demanded that Siddaramaiah continue in office.
In Yadgir, members of the district unit of the Karnataka Pradesh Kurubara Sangha staged a protest at Netaji Circle, raising slogans against the Congress high command.
The protesters demanded that Siddaramaiah’s resignation should not be accepted and also burnt tyres. They formed a human chain and blocked traffic despite police attempts to disperse them.
Upset over Siddaramaiah’s resignation, one of the protesters allegedly attempted to end his life.
A protester identified as Bheemu allegedly tried to consume poison, saying he was willing to die for Siddaramaiah. People nearby intervened and snatched away the bottle suspected to contain poison.
At Subhash Chandra Circle in Yadgir, an ardent supporter of Siddaramaiah, identified as Rajkumar Ganeer, staged a silent protest holding the Congress leader’s poster and expressing anguish over his resignation.
In Kalaburagi, members of the Kuruba community staged a protest at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Circle, demanding that Siddaramaiah continue as chief minister till 2028.
Carrying posters of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, the protesters expressed displeasure over the high command’s directive asking Siddaramaiah to step down.
“Siddaramaiah is a committed politician who has worked tirelessly for the development of backward classes, Dalits and minorities. He implemented several welfare schemes for backward communities,” one of the protesters said.
In Hubballi, AHINDA leaders and supporters also staged a protest over Siddaramaiah’s resignation.
They gathered at Sangolli Rayanna Circle and expressed their anger by burning tyres. The protesters alleged that the Congress party had treated Siddaramaiah unfairly and raised slogans against the party leadership.
During the protest, slogans were also raised against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, D K Shivakumar and Mallikarjun Kharge.
The Karnataka State Federation of Backward Class Communities had on Wednesday warned the Congress high command that the party would face consequences if Siddaramaiah was replaced.
Asserting that the Congress came to power because of the support of backward classes and AHINDA communities — a Kannada acronym referring to minorities, backward classes and Dalits — federation leaders said there was no other leader of Siddaramaiah’s stature in the party and warned of an agitation if he was forced to step down.
Siddaramaiah said that he had resigned as Karnataka chief minister, two days after the Congress high command asked him to do so.
He thanked Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi for giving him the opportunity to serve the people of Karnataka as chief minister for a second term.
Bengaluru | Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Thursday shared an emotional message thanking the people of Karnataka for their love and support during his tenure as chief minister, after resigning from the post.
Siddaramaiah shared on X a photograph of himself standing on a stage with folded hands before a gathering in a gesture of gratitude.
He wrote, “Thank you. Your love. Your trust. My forever strength.” The message appeared on the photograph carrying his signature.
Thanking the people for standing by him during difficult times, Siddaramaiah said in the post: “I bow my head before the people of Karnataka—the lakhs of affectionate hearts who treated me as one among their own, blessed me, encouraged me, corrected me, stood by me in difficult times and held my hand throughout this long journey. Whatever I am today is because of you.”
Stating that the Constitution was his religion and the people his God, Siddaramaiah said his resignation was only from the post of chief minister and not from public life or his commitment to the people.
“Till my last breath, I will continue to fight for social justice and stand against divisive communal forces that go against the spirit of our Constitution. Thank you for your love, trust and companionship through every step of this journey,” he added.
Siddaramaiah resigned as Karnataka chief minister, two days after the Congress high command asked him to step down.
Flanked by his deputy and successor, D K Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah addressed a packed press conference shortly after submitting his resignation to the Governor’s Special Secretary at Lok Bhavan here.
Special Secretary Prabhu Shankar received the resignation as Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot was out of the state.
“I have tendered my resignation from the post of chief minister,” Siddaramaiah told reporters, expressing confidence that the Governor would accept it in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Siddaramaiah had made it clear time and again that he would resign whenever the high command instructed him to do so.
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who is also the party state president, for the coveted chief minister's post after Congress won the May 2023 Assembly election.
The party then managed to convince Shivakumar and made him the deputy CM.
Reports at the time suggested a compromise based on a "rotational chief minister formula," under which Shivakumar would become CM after two-and-a-half years, but there was no official confirmation from the party or the two leaders.
Earlier in the day, at a breakfast hosted at his residence for cabinet colleagues, Siddaramaiah informed ministers of his decision to step down and that Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar would be his successor, as per the directions of the Congress high command.
