Siddaramaiah says he won't contest 2028 polls, paving the way for his son after five decades of politics

Bengaluru: Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Siddaramaiah said he would not contest the 2028 Karnataka assembly elections, paving the way for his son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, to succeed him from the Varuna constituency in Mysuru district.

The former chief minister, who handed over the post to D K Shivakumar last month, said he would continue to remain active in public life despite stepping away from electoral politics.

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In a post on X, Siddaramaiah referred to his speech at an event on Saturday at Mandya, where he said the increasing influence of money had eroded the values of democratic politics.

"Politics today has become thoroughly corrupt. If we want to contest elections now, we have to distribute money. Honest politics is under threat," he said, adding that he would continue to raise his voice for the people.

Siddaramaiah, who built his political base around the AHINDA coalition of minorities, Other Backward Classes and Dalits, had made a similar announcement in 2013 when he first became chief minister. However, he returned to the electoral fray in 2018, contesting from Chamundeshwari and Badami. He lost in Chamundeshwari, won from Badami, and later contested and won from Varuna in 2023 before becoming chief minister for a second term. His son Yatindra, who vacated Varuna for Siddaramaiah in 2023, is a member of the legislative council.

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Siddaramaiah said supporters in Varuna had urged him to contest again, but he had decided against seeking another term.

"In the past, people from my constituency pooled resources and helped me win elections. That is no longer the situation today," he said.

Siddaramaiah, 79, said age and health had also influenced his decision. By the time the current Congress government's term ends, he will be 82.

"My health is not what it used to be. I cannot work with the same energy as before," he said.

The 2028 election will also mark 50 years since Siddaramaiah entered public life as a taluk board member in 1978.

"I have seen victories and setbacks. But I have never compromised on my principles or acted against my conscience," he said.