Siddaramaiah Signs Off as Karnataka CM, Thanks Gandhi Family, Recalls Four-Decade Political Journey

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday signed off from office with an emotional farewell, thanking the Gandhi family, recalling his rise from a humble background and revisiting a four-decade political journey that transformed him into one of the State's most influential mass leaders.

The veteran Congress leader announced that he had submitted his resignation following directions from the party high command, though the process could not be formally completed immediately as Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot was not in Bengaluru and is expected to return later tonight.

Speaking to reporters after announcing his resignation, Siddaramaiah said, "I have resigned from the post of Karnataka Chief Minister. The Governor is not in town, so I have handed over my resignation letter to his secretary."

His resignation comes after surpassing former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs as Karnataka's longest-serving Chief Minister, marking a major milestone in the State's political history.

'I Am an Accidental Politician'

Reflecting emotionally on his long political career, Siddaramaiah described himself as an "accidental politician" and spoke about his journey from a modest rural background despite having no political family connection.

He said his political ideology was shaped by the teachings of Buddha, Basavanna, Babasaheb Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi.

Going down memory lane, Siddaramaiah thanked Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for giving him opportunities to serve twice as Karnataka Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition.

Siddaramaiah Highlights Welfare Legacy

Defending his government's performance, Siddaramaiah said both Congress governments led by him largely fulfilled the promises made to the people of Karnataka.

"In 2013, we gave 168 promises and delivered 158. In the 2023 manifesto, we announced over 550 promises, and till now we have already implemented more than 300," he said.

The outgoing Chief Minister also highlighted the Congress government's flagship guarantee schemes, which became central to the party's welfare politics in Karnataka.

"We announced five guarantee schemes and delivered on them. Till now, we have spent more than ₹1.4 lakh crore on the guarantee schemes," Siddaramaiah said.

Targets BJP and Centre Over Finances

Siddaramaiah also hit out at the BJP and the Union Government over criticism of Karnataka's financial situation and the Congress government's welfare guarantees.

"We should maintain a revenue surplus. But we are in deficit because of the financial mismanagement of the erstwhile BJP regime," he said.

According to Siddaramaiah, Karnataka currently faces a revenue deficit of around ₹19,500 crore because the Centre has not released grants worth ₹11,495 crore due to the State. He also alleged that ₹5,300 crore earmarked for the Upper Bhadra project had not been released.

The outgoing Chief Minister accused the Opposition and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of spreading misinformation against the Congress government's guarantee schemes.

"Though they said guarantee schemes would destroy Karnataka's economy, Karnataka today stands number one in per capita income and second in GST collections in the country," Siddaramaiah said.

He further claimed Karnataka recorded 8.1% GDP growth this year compared to the national average of 7.1%.

Rejecting allegations that his government pushed the State into excessive debt, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka had never crossed the borrowing limits prescribed under the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2002.

'Constitution Is My Religion'

Describing welfare and social justice as the foundation of his politics, Siddaramaiah said both his governments worked towards ensuring equal opportunity for all sections of society.

Soon after submitting his resignation, Siddaramaiah invoked Kannada icon Dr Rajkumar's famous phrase "abhimani devaru" while speaking about voters and public trust.

"I am a politician. Constitution is my religion and voters are my abhimani devaru," he said.

He added that the Bhagya schemes introduced during his earlier tenure and the current guarantee schemes reflected his commitment towards building a more equal society.

"I believe every section should get equal opportunity. Both governments I led tried to ensure this," Siddaramaiah said.

Governor Yet To Formally Accept Resignation

The resignation was not formally accepted by Raj Bhavan on Thursday after Special Secretary to the Governor R. Prabhu Shankar clarified that only the Governor has the constitutional authority to approve the resignation of a Chief Minister.

Officials said Siddaramaiah's resignation communication reached Raj Bhavan while Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot was away from Bengaluru on a personal visit.

Until the Governor formally accepts the resignation, Siddaramaiah technically continues to remain Karnataka Chief Minister.

A Political Career Marked by Reinvention

Siddaramaiah's political career rarely followed a straight line. Since emerging as a major figure in Karnataka politics during the 1980s, he navigated shifting alliances, party realignments and intense factional battles to remain at the centre of the State's political discourse.

Initially associated with the Janata Parivar, Siddaramaiah later joined the Congress and gradually transformed into one of the party's strongest mass leaders in Karnataka.

Over the years, he built a durable support base among backward communities, minorities and Dalits through the AHINDA social coalition, which became central to his political identity and electoral strategy.

His tenure as Chief Minister was defined by welfare-driven governance and large-scale social schemes aimed at economically weaker sections.

Supporters credited Siddaramaiah with expanding welfare outreach and strengthening social justice measures, while critics accused him of aggressive caste-based mobilisation.

Even as Karnataka prepares for a leadership transition, Siddaramaiah leaves office as one of the State's most recognisable and politically influential leaders of the last four decades.