Bengaluru, May 28: Veteran Congress leader Siddaramaiah announced on Thursday that he will remain active in politics despite stepping down as Chief Minister of Karnataka. He pledged to work for the protection of the Constitution for the rest of his life.
Siddaramaiah made these remarks during a press conference after submitting his resignation to the Governor’s Secretary at the Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru.
With emotion in his voice, he stated, “I will remain in politics until my last breath. I will continue to fight against communal forces as they are against the Constitution. Without the Constitution, I would not have received an education, nor would I have become a minister or Chief Minister. I would have remained a shepherd.”
He emphasized, “Until my last breath, I will continue the fight against those forces that threaten the Constitution, as well as against communal powers. I will persist in my struggle for equality and social justice.”
Discussing the resignation process, Siddaramaiah explained, “I submitted my resignation to the Governor’s Secretary. The Governor was not in Bengaluru, and officials informed me that he would return tonight. Therefore, I handed my resignation letter to the Secretary. I have always stated, both inside and outside the Assembly, that I would resign whenever the high command directed me to do so. Two days ago, the high command asked me to step down, and true to my word, I submitted my resignation.”
During the press conference, a visibly emotional Siddaramaiah expressed confidence that Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot would formally accept his resignation upon returning to Bengaluru.
“I am confident that the Governor will accept my resignation tonight, as it is his responsibility according to the Constitution,” he added.
Siddaramaiah also mentioned, “Our party has the support of 138 legislators, and others have also backed the government. We still hold a full majority. The Governor should now give the next Chief Minister the opportunity to form the government.”
The outgoing Chief Minister thanked Congress leaders and party workers for their support throughout his political career.
He remarked, “Legendary Kannada film actor Dr. Rajkumar used to call his fans ‘God.’ I am a politician, and I believe that the Constitution is my religion. The voters are our gods. I had the opportunity to serve the seven crore people of Karnataka. I have been fortunate to serve as Chief Minister twice and as Leader of the Opposition twice.”
Siddaramaiah expressed heartfelt gratitude to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. “I joined the Congress party in 2006. Since then, Congress workers, party leaders, legislators, and MPs have shown me affection and created opportunities for me. I express my gratitude to all of them.”
He stated, “I have never compromised on the values and ideologies I believe in. I firmly believe that every individual, especially those at the bottom of society, should have access to basic needs such as food, shelter, education, and healthcare. With this belief, food and financial assistance have been provided to the poor from all communities and religions.”
Siddaramaiah concluded, “I have faced every challenge with integrity. I have never compromised on issues related to water, land, and language in my state. Throughout my eight years as Chief Minister and my tenure as Leader of the Opposition, I have remained steadfast in these principles.”
He added, “I would like to thank the Congress party and Sonia Gandhi. When I was expelled from JD(S) and leading the Ahinda movement, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel helped arrange a meeting with Sonia Gandhi, after which I decided to join the Congress party. At that time, Mallikarjun Kharge was the Karnataka Congress President. Eight legislators joined the Congress party along with me, and I am grateful to all of them.”
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