Siddaramaiah is greeted by DK Shivakumar during a breakfast meeting in Bengaluru
“Through my tenure of close to 50 years in active politics, I have remained true to my principles and never compromised on them. I have believed in the words of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Buddha and Basavanna and imparting social justice has been evident in my work as opposition leader and as chief minister across two terms from 2013 to 2018 and from 2023 till date. ” The 77-year-old, regarded as one of Karnataka ’s tallest OBC politicians in recent decades, said protecting the Constitution remained his foremost commitment.
Invoking his socialist roots and Ahinda politics, Siddaramaiah said social justice would continue to guide the rest of his public life. “I shall remain in active politics to defeat communal forces and ensure social justice till my last breath,” Siddaramaiah declared at a packed press conference at his residence. Bengaluru: Barely an hour after handing in his resignation as chief minister at Lok Bhavan Thursday, Siddaramaiah insisted that his political career is far from over, a signal that could impact political equations and weigh heavily on his successor.
I am indebted to them and the party for the opportunity they provided me to become a two-time opposition leader and twice CM,” he said. “After that introduction, several of my late colleagues including Manchenahalli Mahadeva, HY Meti and I joined Congress.
Recalling his entry into Congress in 2006 after leading the Ahinda movement, Siddaramaiah said late Congress strategist Ahmed Patel played a key role in introducing him to Sonia Gandhi.
“Had it not been for the Constitution, a simple villager like me would not have had an education, would not have become an MLA, a minister, a deputy CM, opposition leader and two-time CM,” he said. But we proved them wrong and maintained our position within the fiscal responsibility and budget management limits,” he said, while admitting his govt could not achieve revenue surplus. “BJP, including none other than the prime minister of our country, attacked me saying the guarantee schemes would bring the state financial ruin and bankruptcy.