Siddaramaiah Says He Resigned Happily Following High Command Direction, Vows to Continue Political Fight for Social Justice
Bengaluru, May 28: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said he submitted his resignation from the Chief Minister’s post “happily and wholeheartedly” following directions from the Congress high command and asserted that his political struggle for social justice and constitutional values would continue irrespective of whether he remained in power or not.
Addressing a detailed press conference after submitting his resignation, Siddaramaiah said the resignation letter had already been handed over to the Governor through constitutional procedure and that Karnataka would soon get a new Chief Minister.
“I have submitted my resignation letter to the Hon’ble Governor. Constitutional procedures will now follow and the people of Karnataka will soon see a new Chief Minister,” Siddaramaiah said.
Invoking legendary Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar’s famous phrase “Abhimani Devaru”, Siddaramaiah said that for him, voters were equivalent to “God”.
“Dr. Rajkumar used to call his fans ‘Abhimani Devaru’. I am a politician who believes the Constitution itself is my religion. For me, the voters are my true gods,” he remarked.
The veteran Congress leader said he was never someone who bowed before pressure or influence and maintained that his resignation was voluntary and given with complete peace of mind.
“The people of Karnataka know me well after decades of public life. I bow before love and trust, not pressure or influence. I have submitted this resignation happily and wholeheartedly,” he stated.
Siddaramaiah said he came from an ordinary agrarian family and never imagined in his life that he would one day become an MLA, minister or Chief Minister.
“I never dreamt that I would become a legislator, minister or Chief Minister. If such a dream became reality, it is only because of the Constitution written by Babasaheb Ambedkar,” he said.
He added that without constitutional protection and democratic opportunity, he might have remained a shepherd or continued doing ordinary rural work.
“Without the strength of the Constitution, I may have remained somewhere grazing sheep or living a completely different life,” he said while paying tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Siddaramaiah also thanked the people of Karnataka for giving him opportunities over four-and-a-half decades of political life.
“The people made me MLA, minister and twice Chief Minister. I remain indebted to the voters for blessing me with the opportunity to serve,” he said.
The former Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for trusting him and providing him political opportunities after he joined the Congress party.
“The Congress party recognised my ideological commitment and political struggle. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi gave me opportunities to serve as Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition. I will always remain grateful to them,” he said.
Siddaramaiah asserted that he never treated politics as a route for wealth or business but viewed it as an instrument to help the poor, oppressed and marginalised sections of society.
“I never entered politics for money or property. Politics for me has always been a tool to help the poor, oppressed and distressed,” he said.
Reflecting on his political journey, Siddaramaiah recalled the role played by his school teacher Rajappa Master, farmer leader M.D. Nanjundaswamy and former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde in shaping his public life and ideological commitment.
He said their support, guidance and encouragement enabled him to rise in public life despite humble beginnings.
Siddaramaiah also said he never compromised with the values he believed in despite intense political struggles and attacks from opponents.
“My political opponents even targeted my wife, who always stayed away from politics and concentrated only on family life. False allegations and mental harassment were inflicted upon us, but I did not retreat from public service,” he said.
The Congress veteran maintained that he continued fighting against injustice and eventually emerged without any stain on his public life.
“I never betrayed the people who trusted me and never cheated my conscience. Struggle itself became my life,” he said.
Siddaramaiah said social reformers and progressive leaders are often misunderstood during their own times but remembered positively by history.
“From Basavanna to Babasaheb Ambedkar, history shows that those who fight for social change are often treated harshly by their contemporaries but remembered with respect later,” he said.
The former Chief Minister said his dream while entering politics was to ensure food, healthcare, education, housing and employment reached every citizen equally without discrimination.
He claimed Karnataka had moved strongly in that direction during his tenure.
“Karnataka today ranks among the leading states in per capita income and human development indicators. Through guarantee schemes we strengthened social security and moved towards a hunger-free Karnataka,” he said.
Siddaramaiah also highlighted welfare measures, irrigation expansion, farmer support policies and infrastructure development undertaken during his tenure.
He stated that his 17 state budgets consistently prioritised social justice and developmental programmes equally.
“I always wanted to be remembered not merely as a long-serving Chief Minister but as a leader who delivered meaningful schemes for the people of Karnataka,” he said.
Thanking legislators, officials and supporters who stood by him throughout his tenure, Siddaramaiah reiterated that he may step away from electoral politics in the future but would continue to remain active in public and political life.
“There is no retirement in politics. I may step away from electoral politics one day, but I will continue in public life and continue responding whenever the people or the party call upon me,” he said.
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