On May 28, Siddaramaiah, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, officially submitted his resignation to Prabhushankar, the Special Secretary to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot. The governor was away in Indore for personal reasons and was expected to return the same day. Siddaramaiah expressed confidence that his resignation would be accepted promptly upon the governor's return to Lok Bhavan.
During a final press conference, Siddaramaiah reflected on his political journey, recalling his humble beginnings and his rise from a taluk panchayat member to the chief ministerial role, which he held from 2013 to 2018 and again from 2023 to 2026. He described himself as an "accidental politician," emphasizing that no one in his family had previously engaged in politics.
He expressed gratitude to key figures in the Congress party, including former president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and current party president Mallikarjun Kharge, for their support throughout his tenure. Siddaramaiah reiterated his commitment to social justice, stating, “I believe we need to create an equal society where all sections get equal opportunity.” He highlighted the importance of his government's initiatives, including the Bhagya schemes, which he claimed aimed to address societal inequalities.
In discussing his administration's achievements, Siddaramaiah noted that out of 168 promises made in 2013, 158 were fulfilled, while from the 2023 manifesto, 300 out of over 550 promises had been delivered. He defended the financial viability of the guarantee schemes, countering claims from opposition parties and Prime Minister Narendra Modi that they would harm the state's economy. He pointed out that Karnataka leads in per capita income and ranks second in GST collections nationally.
Addressing concerns about state debt, Siddaramaiah clarified that Karnataka's fiscal deficit stands at 2.85%, below the 3% threshold set by the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2002. He attributed the state's revenue deficit of ₹19,500 crore to mismanagement by the previous BJP government and criticized the central government for withholding ₹11,495 crore in grants due to Karnataka.
With nearly 50 years in politics, Siddaramaiah asserted his unwavering principles, stating, “I never pursued power or money.” He emphasized his dedication to the rights of the people of Karnataka regarding water, land, and language issues. He credited the Indian Constitution for his political career and vowed to continue fighting against communal forces and for equal opportunities.
Despite speculation about his successor, Siddaramaiah refrained from naming a next chief minister, indicating that the decision would rest with the Congress high command and the party's legislative body. He confirmed his intention to remain active in state politics, expressing disinterest in a national role despite an invitation to join the Rajya Sabha.
