The Karnataka political tussle has just got another twist after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hinted at contesting the 2028 assembly elections in the state. He had, while filing nomination in 2023, had said that would be his last election. However, in an interview to a news channel, Siddaramaiah said he might reconsider his decision as party cadres want him to continue.
“I had said I won’t contest in the 2028 elections. But all my friends are saying I should contest in 2028 because it will help the party. I haven’t decided on it,” the CM said at a News18 summit. The senior Congress leader said he was not interested in national politics, and that the decision of the high command in Delhi will be final.
“What the high command says is final. The high command, 3-4 months back, asked for a reshuffle. I said let us do it after we finish 2.5 years in office. Now, if the high command gives permission, we will do it,” he said on the reports of possible reshuffle in the Karnataka cabinet.
The state has been seeing political stiffness for months with supporters of Deputy CM DK Shivakumar backing him for the top post. The same was evident when the Congress won polls in 2023, but the huddle on CM continued for a few days.
Interestingly, the recent remarks came soon after Siddaramaiah’s son asserted that his father was in “final phase of his political career”.
Siddaramaiah contradicts his son’s statement
A fresh debate erupted in Karnatana after CM Siddaramaiah’s son, MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, said that his father should mentor Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi as his successor. Though he later clarified that Jharkiholi is being seen as a successor to Siddaramiah’s ideology and ideological base of Ahinda, the word had already spread.
Reiterating his remarks, Yathindra mentioned that he stands by what he said. “There is no mistake in my Belgaum statement. I have already clarified this. Let’s see if notice comes in this regard. I will not talk about that issue again. I will not make any public statement in front of the media anymore,” Yathindra said while addressing the press.
He exuded confidence that his father “Siddaramaiah will definitely complete five years.” But he added that the CM is in the “final phase of his political career” and should mentor Jarkiholi.
He said that Siddaramaiah will not contest the 2028 elections. “My father said that he will not contest the 2028 elections. After that, there are so many politicians who follow the secular Congress ideology. Let Satish Jarkiholi lead them all. After 2028, someone should lead. Satish Jarkiholi is also one of those who do ideological politics. Let Satish Jarkiholi guide those who follow that ideology,” he had said.
Now, with Siddaramaiah hinting at another political stint, the atmosphere in Karnataka’s politics is bound to get intense.