Outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday, 30 May congratulated D.K. Shivakumar on his unanimous election as the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and Chief Minister-designate, expressing full confidence in his ability to steer both the state and the party through what he described as challenging times ahead.

Siddaramaiah's Message to Shivakumar

In a formal message addressed to Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah said he had closely observed his colleague's 'indomitable energy, organisational skills, and unquestionable loyalty' to the Indian National Congress (INC). He expressed hope that these qualities would be deployed for the welfare of the people of Karnataka.

'The responsibility of carrying this development journey forward now rests on your shoulders. I am confident that you possess the commitment, capability, and vision required to fulfil this task,' Siddaramaiah wrote.

Karnataka's Development Record

Reflecting on his own tenure, Siddaramaiah said he was proud to have served Kannadigas as Chief Minister for a total of eight years and to have contributed to making Karnataka a prosperous, self-reliant, and self-respecting state. He highlighted that Karnataka had emerged as a leading state in terms of per capita income and a model for equitable distribution of wealth, power, and opportunities. He added that several welfare schemes launched in Karnataka had since been adopted by other states — a fact he described as a matter of pride.

Ideological Battle and Congress's National Challenges

Siddaramaiah acknowledged that the Congress party had suffered setbacks at the national level in recent years. He stressed, however, that while elections could be won or lost, the party must never suffer an ideological defeat — arguing that ideological failure ultimately leads to electoral decline.

He voiced concern over what he described as attempts to divide the country along caste and religious lines, the questioning of the Constitution, and the suppression of dissent. He said India, built through the sacrifices of Congress leaders, was being 'fragmented in the name of caste and religion,' while those who challenged authority were being suppressed. He further alleged that those who 'killed Mahatma Gandhi were now glorifying Godse.'

Call for a 'Second Freedom Struggle'

Calling for a renewed ideological push, Siddaramaiah said the Congress — founded on constitutional values of equality, harmony, social justice, and secularism — must be strengthened from the grassroots level. He said the country was passing through a phase that demanded a 'second freedom struggle' to protect constitutional values, national unity, and integrity.

'In this struggle, not only the entire Legislature Party but all seven crore people of Karnataka will stand with you,' he said, wishing Shivakumar success in his new role.

What Comes Next

With Shivakumar's unanimous election as CLP leader formalised, the transition of power in Bengaluru is now underway. The new Chief Minister is expected to be sworn in shortly, inheriting both the development agenda Siddaramaiah outlined and the political burden of rebuilding Congress's national standing from a state that remains one of its strongest bastions.