Karnataka's former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that he won't be contesting the 2028 assembly elections in the southern state, citing his advancing age, while also highlighting that politics has become "thoroughly corrupted" now. However, Siddaramaiah said he would continue to stand for the people and raise their voice.
The development comes days after the Congress leadership replaced Siddaramaiah with DK Shivakumar as the chief minister.
Speaking at an event in Mandya on Saturday, the veteran Congressman said people of Varuna constituency want him to contest the 2028 elections, but he has decided against it. During his previous election campaign, people of Varuna provided him money and ensured his victory, but that is not the situation anymore, he said.
Siddaramaiah said he is currently 79-year-old and will turn 81-82 when the next assembly polls take place. He said his health is not robust anymore, and it is not possible for him to "work with the same enthusiasm as before".
"By 2028, I will be 82 years old. That will mark the completion of 50 years in my political life," Siddaramaiah said. "I began my political journey in 1978 as a taluk board member. I have seen both defeats and victories. But I take satisfaction in the fact that I have not acted against the principles I believed in, nor betrayed my conscience."
Siddaramaiah said politics has become "thoroughly corrupted and honest politics seems to have no leg to stand on". This, he said, was another decision he decided not to contest in anymore elections in the future.
"For five decades, the people of the state have seen me as one among them and affectionately guided me. This debt weighs on me. Therefore, my future life too will be dedicated to public service," Siddaramaiah concluded.
Siddaramaiah was Karnataka's longest-serving chief minister, a feat he achieved in January this year. He stepped down from his position in May as part of a Congress leadership transition.
Following the party's victory in 2023 assembly elections, a 2.5-year formula was finalised by Congress leadership between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. Earlier, Siddaramaiah denied reports that such a formula was finalised, but the Congress leadership only decided to replace him with Shivakumar.
The Congress now has welcomed Siddaramaiah's decision not to contest the 2028 polls and said he would be guiding the party.
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