Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah submits resignation to Governor, holds final press conference
Chief Minister expressed confidence that his resignation would be accepted by the governor soon after he returns to Lok Bhavan. He maintained that it was
Chief Minister expressed confidence that his resignation would be accepted by the governor soon after he returns to Lok Bhavan. He maintained that it was the responsibility of the governor to accept the resignation once it is submitted and make way for the next chief minister to assume office. He thanked former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and his colleagues in the party for giving him the opportunity to serve as chief minister of Karnataka. Going down memory lane, he said he was an ‘accidental politician’, with none in the family being in politics. He cited his rural background and recollected his journey in politics, from a member of the taluk panchayat, to minister, Deputy CM, Leader of Opposition, and chief minister (2013-18 and 2023-26). In 2006, he said senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel (now deceased) got him to meet Sonia Gandhi and enabled his entry to the Congress. He said that his work was directed towards ensuring equality in society. He said that a society cannot be described as just unless everyone gets equal opportunities to grow in their lives and career. “In 2013, we had given 168 promises, of which we have delivered 158 promises. In the manifesto for 2023, we had over 550 promises, of which we have delivered on 300 of them so far.
Apart from that, we had announced five guarantee schemes, on which we have delivered. Till now, we have spent over ₹1.4 lakh crore on guarantee schemes till now.” He cited this to emphasise that the Congress government in Karnataka has made every effort to fulfil its promises, despite claims in some sections of the media about the guarantee schemes depleting the State treasury. He accused the opposition and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running a misinformation campaign against his government with respect to guarantee schemes. Though they said that the guarantee schemes would derail the economy, the State stands number 1 in per capita income, and second in the country in GST collections. The State’s growth rate is over 8%, he said. ‘Finances managed prudently’ He said that finances of a State should be managed within parameters laid down in Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2002 For example, he said, a State’s fiscal deficit should be less than 3%, and for Karnataka the figure is 2.85%. Loans should be less than 25% of a State’s GSPD. The State’s loans add up to ₹30 lakh crore, which is 24.94% of our GSDP, he said. The third criteria is that a State should be revenue surplus. However, Karnataka is revenue deficit, for which he blamed the previous BJP government, claiming they mismanaged the State’s finances.
In 2026-27, the deficit is ₹19,000 crore. That is because the funds due to the State from the 15th Finance Commission were not given to Karnataka. A special grant, which was due to Karnataka, was not given. In addition, ₹3,000 crore for lakes was not given to the State. In total, Karnataka is due about ₹15,000 crore on this account, he said. ‘Did not pursue power’ He claimed that he never pursued power, not did he make money for himself. In 1978, he became a taluk board member. He became a legislator in 1983. His political career stretching close to 50 years, he claimed, is an open book. He claimed to have never wavered from his principles. “I have never compromised with issues related to water, land and language of Karnataka. These are the rights of the people of Karnataka,” he said. He said that he owes his career to the Constitution, drafted by a committee chaired by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, which gives equal rights to every Indian. He said that he would not have become a member of the taluk board, a legislator, a minister, Leader of Opposition, Deputy CM, or CM had it not been for the Indian Constitution. “Till my last breath, I will fight against communal forces, those who try to undermine the Constitution, and against those who prevent equal opportunities for everyone in society,” he said.
He jokingly thanked the mediapersons for tolerating him, and then, on a serious note, thanked him for supporting his work during the course of his career. He said that he will continue in active politics, work for the people, and undertake any work given to him by the Congress party. “The Congress high command asked me to go to the Rajya Sabha. But with humility, I have told them that I am not interested in national politics, and that I want to continue in State politics,” he said. Though Deputy Chief Minister and CM-aspirant D. K. Shivakumar was sitting next to him at the press conference, Mr. Siddaramaiah desisted from naming him as the next chief minister. When asked who will be the next CM, he said, “Whoever is chosen by the high command and the Congress legislature party will become the next chief minister.”
The BriefWire