Siddaramaiah pledges lifelong service to Varuna after stepping down as CM
Synopsis
Siddaramaiah's address in Dasanuru was part farewell, part political reset. He framed his resignation as a kept promise to Rahul Gandhi, claimed a ₹5,000 crore development legacy across four terms in Varuna, and pointedly refused to answer whether he would contest 2028 — even as his son Yathindra waits in the wings.
Key Takeaways
Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah pledged continued service to Varuna constituency at an event in Dasanuru village on 5 October 2026 .
He cited a career of 40-plus years , eight MLA wins , and eight years as Chief Minister.
Siddaramaiah said his resignation was a kept promise to Congress LoP Rahul Gandhi .
He claimed development works worth more than ₹5,000 crore in Varuna across four terms .
He appealed for voter support for his son, former MLA Yathindra Siddaramaiah , while declining to commit on contesting the 2028 elections.
He acknowledged CM D.K.
Shivakumar and expressed confidence in continuity of government programmes.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Siddaramaiah on Monday, 5 October 2026, declared he would continue serving the people of Varuna constituency regardless of whether he holds elected office or governmental power. Speaking at an event in Dasanuru village in the Varuna Assembly constituency near Mysuru, Siddaramaiah reflected on a career spanning over four decades and reaffirmed his commitment to the people who shaped his political rise.
A Career Built on Varuna's Blessings
Siddaramaiah credited the constituency with being the bedrock of his political fortunes. 'I have won from the Varuna constituency three times and have served as Chief Minister twice. The blessings of the people of Varuna are the reason why I became Chief Minister twice and Leader of the Opposition twice,' he said. He noted that he had been elected as an MLA eight times across his 40-plus years in politics and served as Chief Minister for a total of eight years.
On His Resignation and Rahul Gandhi's Role
Siddaramaiah addressed his recent departure from the Chief Ministerial post directly, framing it as a fulfilment of a personal commitment. 'I had told Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi that I would submit my resignation whenever he asked me to, and I have kept my word,' he said. He repeated the assertion twice during his address, underscoring that his step-down was voluntary and in keeping with a promise made to the Congress leadership. Rahul Gandhi currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Development Work and a ₹5,000 Crore Legacy
Claiming satisfaction over his tenure's impact, Siddaramaiah said he had overseen development works worth more than ₹5,000 crore in Varuna across his four terms as a representative of the constituency. 'I am satisfied with the work I have done. I have made efforts to work for the poor,' he said. He also confirmed he would remain an MLA for approximately another one-and-a-half years, ruling out an immediate exit from the legislature.
Endorsement for Son Yathindra and Question of 2028
Siddaramaiah appealed to voters to extend their support to his son and former MLA Yathindra Siddaramaiah, signalling a deliberate attempt to consolidate the family's political base in the constituency. Notably, people present at the event urged him to contest the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections as well — a demand he declined to address, concluding his speech without committing either way. The silence on 2028 is likely to fuel speculation about his next political move.
Shivakumar Government and Programme Continuity
Siddaramaiah also acknowledged the transition of power, stating that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was now leading the Karnataka government. He expressed confidence that Shivakumar would carry forward the programmes initiated under the previous administration. This comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the power-sharing arrangement within Karnataka's ruling Congress, which had long been the subject of internal negotiation between the two leaders.
With his term as MLA set to run for another year-and-a-half and his son's political future in Varuna taking shape, all eyes will be on whether Siddaramaiah formally announces his 2028 plans — or chooses to quietly groom the next generation.
Point of View
He repositions a leadership transition — which carries the whiff of an enforced exit — as an act of personal integrity. The louder signal, however, is the pivot toward Yathindra: the family consolidation in Varuna is underway, and the silence on 2028 is calculated, not accidental. Karnataka Congress watchers should note that the Shivakumar-Siddaramaiah fault line has not disappeared — it has merely been papered over with a gracious public handover. Whether that holds through the next electoral cycle depends, in part, on how much political space the old CM is willing to cede.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Siddaramaiah resign as Karnataka Chief Minister?
Siddaramaiah said he resigned because he had promised Congress Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi that he would step down whenever asked. He described his resignation as the fulfilment of a personal commitment to the party's top leadership.
What development work did Siddaramaiah claim in Varuna?
He claimed development works worth more than ₹5,000 crore in Varuna constituency across his four terms as the area's representative. He said he was satisfied with his work and had focused on serving the poor.
Will Siddaramaiah contest the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections?
Siddaramaiah did not respond when people at the Dasanuru event urged him to contest the 2028 elections. He concluded his speech without committing either way, leaving the question open.
Who is Yathindra Siddaramaiah and why did Siddaramaiah appeal for his support?
Yathindra Siddaramaiah is Siddaramaiah's son and a former MLA. Siddaramaiah appealed to the people of Varuna to extend the same blessings to Yathindra that they had given him, signalling a push to establish his son's political base in the constituency.
What did Siddaramaiah say about CM D.K. Shivakumar?
Siddaramaiah said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was now leading the Karnataka government and expressed confidence that Shivakumar would continue the programmes initiated under the previous administration.
