During a private gathering in KR Pet, Mandya district on Saturday, Siddaramaiah expressed his commitment to remain engaged in politics and serve the public despite withdrawing from electoral battles.
“Given that the political arena has become tainted today, I will refrain from contesting in the 2028 assembly elections. Nevertheless, I will remain active in politics and serve as a voice for the people’s struggles and joys,” he stated.
Siddaramaiah noted that constituents from the Varuna Assembly constituency had urged him to run again, but he has chosen not to. He previously held the position of Karnataka chief minister from 2013 to 2018 and from 2023 to 2026.
“The residents of the Varuna constituency are once again compelling me to participate in the elections. However, I’ve resolved not to contest in any elections going forward,” he remarked.
He compared past electoral scenarios to the current political climate, stating that during his initial campaigns, money was contributed to support him. “The time has come where, if we contest elections, we would have to give money to the people. Politics today is thoroughly corrupted. Honest politics seems to have no ground to stand on,” he added.
ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಇಂದು ಕಲುಷಿತಗೊಂಡಿರುವುದರಿಂದ 2028ರ ವಿಧಾನಸಭಾ ಚುನಾವಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೆ, ಸಕ್ರಿಯ ರಾಜಕಾರಣದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದು, ಜನರ ಕಷ್ಟ, ಸುಖಗಳಿಗೆ ಧ್ವನಿಯಾಗಿ ನಿಲ್ಲುತ್ತೇನೆ.
ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ ಚುನಾವಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಿಸುವಂತೆ ವರುಣ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದ ಜನರು ಒತ್ತಾಯಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆದರೆ ನಾನು ಇನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆ ಯಾವುದೇ… pic.twitter.com/v0S4tCQ30o
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 26, 2026
Age, health behind decision
The 77-year-old leader, who will turn 78 in August, mentioned that his age and health played significant roles in his decision-making.
“I am now 77 years old. Our government still has another year and a half left in its term. By then, I will be around 79 years old. My health isn’t as strong as it once was. I can no longer work with the same fervor as before,” he stated.
Siddaramaiah highlighted that 2028 would mark 50 years since he embarked on his public life, having begun his political journey in 1978 as a taluk board member.
Reflecting on his extensive career, he expressed that he has faced both wins and losses but has always remained steadfast to his principles.
“For five decades, the citizens of the state have regarded me as one of their own and have guided me with affection. This responsibility weighs heavily on me. Thus, I will continue to dedicate my future life to public service,” he concluded.
His comments come with approximately one and a half years left in the current Congress-led Karnataka government’s term, which is currently under Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
