Siddaramaiah declines Congress's Rajya Sabha offer, picks state over national role
Shortly after resigning as Karnataka CM, Siddaramaiah broke his silence on the high command's decision, rejected a Rajya Sabha offer, defended Congress guarantees and delivered an emotional farewell packed with political messaging and sharp attacks.
Soon after submitting his resignation as chief minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah on Thursday made it clear that his political journey was far from over, declaring that he would remain active in state politics and had no interest in shifting to a national role.
Addressing reporters after submitting his resignation, the veteran Congress leader revealed that he had declined an offer to move to the Rajya Sabha, signalling his intent to stay rooted in Karnataka politics despite stepping down from the top post.
“I’ll continue in active politics. I have no interest in national politics,” Siddaramaiah said, dismissing speculation that the Congress high command could accommodate him in Delhi after his exit as chief minister.
According to Siddaramaiah, the Congress leadership had offered him a Rajya Sabha berth, but he chose not to accept it.
“I was also asked about the Rajya Sabha. I declined it. I want to remain in Karnataka politics,” he said.
'WHEN HIGH COMMAND ASKED, I RESIGNED'
Siddaramaiah made it clear that his resignation followed directions from the Congress leadership. "I’ve told you all many times, when high command asks me to resign, I will resign," he said.
"Two days back, high command asked me to step down. I told them I’ll resign today. Hence I’ve resigned," he added.
The chief minister said the resignation letter had been submitted to the Governor’s office as the Governor was out of Bengaluru. "Governor is not here. He’s coming back tonight, I’m told. Resignation letter has been given to his office and secretary," he said.
Projecting confidence about the transition, Siddaramaiah asserted that the Governor was constitutionally bound to accept his resignation and facilitate formation of a new government.
"He has to accept my resignation as per law. Once CM resigns, Governor has to accept it and make way for new CM. It’s his responsibility," he said.
Amid speculation over political instability, Siddaramaiah insisted the Congress government remained numerically secure. "Our party has 136 MLAs. Two independents have supported us. We have full majority," he said. The Congress leader repeatedly underlined that the leadership change would not affect the coalition’s stability.
EMOTIONAL FAREWELL
Striking an emotional note, Siddaramaiah reflected on his long political journey and thanked the Congress leadership for backing him over the years. "I got a chance to serve seven crore people. Twice I got the chance to be CM. Two times I was Leader of Opposition," he said.
He thanked Congress parliamentary chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge for their support. "Since joining Congress in 2006, party workers, leaders, MLAs and MPs have supported me. I want to thank them all," he added.
Calling himself an accidental politician, Siddaramaiah said nobody in his family had a political background.
“I have always believed in the ideals of Buddha, Basava and Ambedkar and that wealth needs to be redistributed among all sections of society,” he said.
SIDDU DEFENDS GUARANTEE SCHEMES
Even as he prepared to leave office, Siddaramaiah strongly defended the Congress government’s flagship guarantee schemes, which have been repeatedly targeted by the Opposition. Accusing the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of spreading misinformation, he said claims that the schemes would bankrupt Karnataka had proved wrong.
“Though they said the guarantee schemes would derail the State economy, Karnataka stands No.1 in per capita income and second in the country in GST collections,” he said.
According to Siddaramaiah, Karnataka’s economic growth rate had outpaced the national average. “The rate of growth of GDP is 7.1% for the country, but 8.1% in the State this year,” he said.
Rejecting allegations of reckless borrowing, the outgoing chief minister said his government had stayed within limits prescribed under the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2002.
“Opposition has alleged I have taken a lot of loans, and the state is caught in debt. But this is a false allegation,” he said.
‘WE DELIVERED ON OUR PROMISES’
Siddaramaiah also used the occasion to highlight the Congress government’s welfare record. “In 2013, we had given 168 promises, of which we have delivered 158 promises,” he said.
“In the manifesto for 2023, we had promised over 550 promises, of which we have till now delivered on 300 of them.” He said the government had spent more than 1.4 lakh crore on the five guarantee schemes announced by the Congress.
“Apart from that we had announced five guarantee schemes, on which we have delivered. Till now, we have spent over 1.4 lakh crore on guarantee schemes,” he said.
BLAMES BJP AND CENTRE FOR KARNATAKA’S FINANCES
Siddaramaiah also blamed the previous BJP government and the Centre for Karnataka’s financial stress. “We should maintain a revenue surplus. But we are in deficit due to the mismanagement of finances by the erstwhile BJP regime,” he said.
He claimed Karnataka had been denied central grants worth 11,495 crore and alleged that 5,300 crore earmarked for the Upper Bhadra project had also not been released.
Pointing to a revenue deficit of 19,500 crore, Siddaramaiah squarely blamed the Union government for the situation.
‘EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL’
Reiterating his ideological commitment, Siddaramaiah said both governments led by him had tried to create an equal society. “I believe we need to create an equal society where all sections get equal opportunity. Both governments I have led have strived to ensure equal opportunities,” he said.
Describing welfare politics as central to his political philosophy, he said the earlier Bhagya schemes and the present guarantee schemes reflected that vision.
Soon after submitting his resignation as chief minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah on Thursday made it clear that his political journey was far from over, declaring that he would remain active in state politics and had no interest in shifting to a national role.
Addressing reporters after submitting his resignation, the veteran Congress leader revealed that he had declined an offer to move to the Rajya Sabha, signalling his intent to stay rooted in Karnataka politics despite stepping down from the top post.
“I’ll continue in active politics. I have no interest in national politics,” Siddaramaiah said, dismissing speculation that the Congress high command could accommodate him in Delhi after his exit as chief minister.
According to Siddaramaiah, the Congress leadership had offered him a Rajya Sabha berth, but he chose not to accept it.
“I was also asked about the Rajya Sabha. I declined it. I want to remain in Karnataka politics,” he said.
'WHEN HIGH COMMAND ASKED, I RESIGNED'
Siddaramaiah made it clear that his resignation followed directions from the Congress leadership. "I’ve told you all many times, when high command asks me to resign, I will resign," he said.
"Two days back, high command asked me to step down. I told them I’ll resign today. Hence I’ve resigned," he added.
The chief minister said the resignation letter had been submitted to the Governor’s office as the Governor was out of Bengaluru. "Governor is not here. He’s coming back tonight, I’m told. Resignation letter has been given to his office and secretary," he said.
Projecting confidence about the transition, Siddaramaiah asserted that the Governor was constitutionally bound to accept his resignation and facilitate formation of a new government.
"He has to accept my resignation as per law. Once CM resigns, Governor has to accept it and make way for new CM. It’s his responsibility," he said.
Amid speculation over political instability, Siddaramaiah insisted the Congress government remained numerically secure. "Our party has 136 MLAs. Two independents have supported us. We have full majority," he said. The Congress leader repeatedly underlined that the leadership change would not affect the coalition’s stability.
EMOTIONAL FAREWELL
Striking an emotional note, Siddaramaiah reflected on his long political journey and thanked the Congress leadership for backing him over the years. "I got a chance to serve seven crore people. Twice I got the chance to be CM. Two times I was Leader of Opposition," he said.
He thanked Congress parliamentary chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge for their support. "Since joining Congress in 2006, party workers, leaders, MLAs and MPs have supported me. I want to thank them all," he added.
Calling himself an accidental politician, Siddaramaiah said nobody in his family had a political background.
“I have always believed in the ideals of Buddha, Basava and Ambedkar and that wealth needs to be redistributed among all sections of society,” he said.
SIDDU DEFENDS GUARANTEE SCHEMES
Even as he prepared to leave office, Siddaramaiah strongly defended the Congress government’s flagship guarantee schemes, which have been repeatedly targeted by the Opposition. Accusing the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of spreading misinformation, he said claims that the schemes would bankrupt Karnataka had proved wrong.
“Though they said the guarantee schemes would derail the State economy, Karnataka stands No.1 in per capita income and second in the country in GST collections,” he said.
According to Siddaramaiah, Karnataka’s economic growth rate had outpaced the national average. “The rate of growth of GDP is 7.1% for the country, but 8.1% in the State this year,” he said.
Rejecting allegations of reckless borrowing, the outgoing chief minister said his government had stayed within limits prescribed under the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2002.
“Opposition has alleged I have taken a lot of loans, and the state is caught in debt. But this is a false allegation,” he said.
‘WE DELIVERED ON OUR PROMISES’
Siddaramaiah also used the occasion to highlight the Congress government’s welfare record. “In 2013, we had given 168 promises, of which we have delivered 158 promises,” he said.
“In the manifesto for 2023, we had promised over 550 promises, of which we have till now delivered on 300 of them.” He said the government had spent more than 1.4 lakh crore on the five guarantee schemes announced by the Congress.
“Apart from that we had announced five guarantee schemes, on which we have delivered. Till now, we have spent over 1.4 lakh crore on guarantee schemes,” he said.
BLAMES BJP AND CENTRE FOR KARNATAKA’S FINANCES
Siddaramaiah also blamed the previous BJP government and the Centre for Karnataka’s financial stress. “We should maintain a revenue surplus. But we are in deficit due to the mismanagement of finances by the erstwhile BJP regime,” he said.
He claimed Karnataka had been denied central grants worth 11,495 crore and alleged that 5,300 crore earmarked for the Upper Bhadra project had also not been released.
Pointing to a revenue deficit of 19,500 crore, Siddaramaiah squarely blamed the Union government for the situation.
‘EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL’
Reiterating his ideological commitment, Siddaramaiah said both governments led by him had tried to create an equal society. “I believe we need to create an equal society where all sections get equal opportunity. Both governments I have led have strived to ensure equal opportunities,” he said.
Describing welfare politics as central to his political philosophy, he said the earlier Bhagya schemes and the present guarantee schemes reflected that vision.
