Siddaramaiah's exit: Moily says no grievance, Congress gave him full due
Synopsis
Siddaramaiah's resignation as Karnataka Chief Minister was voluntary and without grievance, according to Congress veteran Veerappa Moily — who argued the party gave Siddaramaiah two effective terms, the Leader of Opposition role, and a consensual exit in favour of D.K. Shivakumar. The remarks signal Congress is working to project unity, even as a high-profile leadership change unfolds in a key state.
Key Takeaways
Siddaramaiah resigned as Karnataka Chief Minister on 28 May , a day before Moily's remarks.
Former CM Veerappa Moily said Siddaramaiah had 'no reason to feel aggrieved,' citing one full term plus three additional years as CM.
Moily said the handover to D.K.
Shivakumar was consensual and done 'only after convincing' Siddaramaiah.
Moily alleged the BJP has only 16 OBC MLAs in Karnataka, contrasting Congress's claimed record on diversity.
Congress is projecting internal unity as the Karnataka leadership transition gets underway.
A day after Siddaramaiah stepped down as Karnataka Chief Minister, former Chief Minister and veteran Indian National Congress leader Veerappa Moily firmly rejected any suggestion that Siddaramaiah had reason to feel wronged, saying the party had consistently accorded him 'due respect and privilege' throughout his political career.
What Moily Said
Speaking to reporters, Moily argued that Siddaramaiah had effectively served the equivalent of two terms as Chief Minister. 'He served as Chief Minister for practically two terms, since there were only two years left in one of them. It was only after he joined the Congress that he became Chief Minister. So, the Congress gave him the opportunity: One full term and then another three years,' Moily said.
Moily also pointed out that Siddaramaiah had served as Leader of the Opposition within the Congress party, noting that the party had absorbed him despite him not being an original member and had given him 'respectable positions' throughout.
The Transition to D.K. Shivakumar
Moily maintained that the party High Command gave 'all respect' to Siddaramaiah and that the handover was consensual. 'It was only after convincing him that he has to give up the post for D.K. Shivakumar, to which he voluntarily agreed,' Moily asserted. He reiterated that there was 'no question of hurting him' and that 'legitimate respect and position' had been given to Siddaramaiah by the Congress.
Congress vs BJP and JD(S): Moily's Broader Argument
The veteran leader used the occasion to draw a contrast between Congress and its rivals. He cited a list of former Karnataka Chief Ministers from the Congress — including S. Bangarappa and D. Devaraj Urs — as evidence that the party has historically recognised its senior leaders. He alleged that the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya Janata Party 'always look after themselves.'
Referring to JD(S) chief H.D. Deve Gowda, Moily said the party 'looked after itself.' On the BJP, he claimed that leaders such as B.S. Yediyurappa, Basavaraj Bommai, and D.V. Sadananda Gowda were never adequately looked after by their own party.
OBC Representation Claim
Moily also claimed that the BJP has 'only 16 MLAs from the OBC community' in Karnataka, with the rest drawn from what he described as major communities, barring some representation from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He reiterated that it is only the Congress which has consistently given 'political legitimacy' to leaders from diverse backgrounds.
With the transition to D.K. Shivakumar now underway, all eyes will be on whether the Congress can maintain internal cohesion in Karnataka ahead of future electoral cycles.
Point of View
Consensual, and respectful. But the speed and volume of such reassurances are themselves telling — parties that have nothing to manage rarely need to say so this loudly. The real test of Congress cohesion in Karnataka will come when Shivakumar's cabinet takes shape and Siddaramaiah's loyalists find — or don't find — their place in it. The OBC representation jab at the BJP is a calculated move ahead of the next electoral cycle, but it shifts attention from the more immediate question of whether the Congress's own power-sharing formula in Karnataka is stable.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Siddaramaiah resign as Karnataka Chief Minister?
Siddaramaiah resigned as Karnataka Chief Minister as part of a Congress party leadership transition, with D.K. Shivakumar set to take over. According to Veerappa Moily, the party High Command convinced Siddaramaiah to step down voluntarily.
What did Veerappa Moily say about Siddaramaiah's resignation?
Moily said there was 'no question of anyone feeling aggrieved,' arguing that Congress had given Siddaramaiah one full term plus three additional years as Chief Minister, as well as the role of Leader of the Opposition. He described the exit as consensual.
Who will succeed Siddaramaiah as Karnataka Chief Minister?
D.K. Shivakumar is set to succeed Siddaramaiah as Karnataka Chief Minister, as part of a power-sharing arrangement within the Congress party in the state.
What claims did Moily make about BJP's OBC representation?
Moily claimed that the BJP has only 16 MLAs from the OBC community in Karnataka, with the rest drawn from major communities, barring some Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe representation. He contrasted this with what he described as Congress's consistent record of recognising diverse leaders.
Has Siddaramaiah held other senior positions in Congress?
Yes. According to Moily, Siddaramaiah served as Leader of the Opposition within the Congress party in Karnataka, in addition to his two effective terms as Chief Minister. Moily noted that Siddaramaiah joined Congress from outside the party and was given senior positions thereafter.
