Siddaramaiah ruled out any shift to Delhi politics while speaking at News18 Rising Karnataka Summit.
“I don’t want to do politics at the national level,” Siddaramaiah said, adding that he would remain active “as long as the people’s blessings remain.”
Although he had earlier indicated he would not contest the Karnataka Assembly polls 2028, Siddaramaiah said party colleagues were urging him to rethink.
“I had said I won’t contest in the 2028 elections. But all my friends are saying I should contest in 2028 because it will help the party. I haven’t decided on it,” he said, as per News18.
The Chief Minister also clarified that recent remarks by his son had been misconstrued. He said Yathindra was only referring to an “ideological successor” not a designated future CM.
Awaiting high command’s call
In a separate incident, responding to ongoing speculation about a possible leadership shift in the Congress government, Siddaramaiah told reporters in Mangaluru that he intends to remain in office for the full term if endorsed by the party’s central leadership.
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“If the high command decides,” he said when asked about completing five years as Chief Minister, as per news agency PTI.
He dismissed repeated media queries in succession politics reasoning that such speculations arise “because you (the media) keep asking.”
“In a democracy, we cannot tell those in the race not to compete. It is their right. Anyone may claim to be a chief ministerial candidate, but ultimately, the high command will decide,” he added.
According to reports, internal conversations have persisted over a potential power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar since the Congress returned to power in May 2023.
Congress needs Siddaramaiah’s support: Shivakumar
The Deputy CM has stressed that the Congress cannot afford to lose Siddaramaiah’s leadership in Karnataka.
“We need the Chief Minister. We need his support. If health permits, we need him for the future as well. He has served as Deputy CM, Leader of the Opposition, and Chief Minister. Without his blessing and support, Congress will find it difficult,” Shivakumar told CNN-News18.
On his personal equation with Siddaramaiah and the high command’s authority, he said, “What is there after the CM has said it? We will abide by what he says.”
As the Karnataka government approaches the halfway mark of its tenure, party leaders await guidance from Delhi on possible cabinet changes, which is a subject that both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar say will be settled only by the Congress high command.
