Published May 28, 2026 | 3:32 PM ⚊ Updated May 28, 2026 | 4:34 PM
Siddaramaiah also expressed confidence that, in accordance with the Constitution, the Governor would facilitate the formation of a new government.
Synopsis: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah resigned on Thursday and said he was confident Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot would accept his resignation upon returning to Bengaluru later in the day. Addressing a press conference after submitting his resignation, the veteran Congress leader thanked the people of Karnataka, the party leadership and his Cabinet colleagues for supporting him during his political journey.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday (28 May) afternoon tendered his resignation at Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s office and expressed confidence that the Governor would accept it upon his return to the Lok Bhavan later in the day.
Addressing a press conference at 3 pm soon after submitting his resignation, Siddaramaiah thanked the people of Karnataka, his Cabinet colleagues and the All India Congress Committee (AICC) leadership.
“I have always said that whenever the high command indicates, I will resign. When I was asked to step down, I told them I would resign on Thursday. Accordingly, I have submitted my resignation,” he said.
“The Governor is not currently in the state. The resignation letter has been handed over to the Governor’s secretary. When the Governor returns, he will accept my resignation. I am confident of that, and according to the Constitution, he is mandated to accept it. What procedure they follow is left to them. But once a Chief Minister gives resignation, it has to be accepted and an opportunity must be made for the next Chief Minister. That is his responsibility.”
Governor Gehlot left for Indore on Wednesday and is expected to return by 7 pm on Thursday.
“My party has secured 135 + 1 seats. Alongside this, two Independents have expressed support for our government. Therefore, we have a clear majority,” Siddaramaiah added.
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Siddaramaiah also ruled out a move to the Rajya Sabha, saying he would remain active in Karnataka politics and fight against communal forces till “his last breath”.
“I have told them that I will not be able to go to the Rajya Sabha. I will remain in state politics. The people have elected me for five years. There are still two years left. I will continue to serve as an MLA on behalf of the people of my constituency. I have said that I will fight against communal forces. If you ask about my political role, that is it,” he said.
He also categorically denied that there had been any pressure from the party leadership to resign.
“I have been saying this from the beginning itself – whenever the high command asks, I will resign. What pressure is there in that? I myself voluntarily resigned immediately after they told me.”
On the choice of the next Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah said the decision would rest with the party leadership.
“Whatever decision the legislative party takes, whatever decision the parliamentary party takes, and whatever decision the high command takes,” added.
The veteran Congress leader, in an emotional address, said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Karnataka in various capacities over the years.
“Karnataka’s matinee idol Rajkumar used to call his supporters gods. I am a politician, and I believe the Constitution is my dharma and the voters are our gods,” he said.
“I had the opportunity to serve the seven crore people of Karnataka, and I was fortunate to serve twice as Chief Minister and twice as Leader of the Opposition. I would like to thank the leadership that afforded me this opportunity — Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge. At this juncture, I would like to express my deep gratitude to them.”
Speaking about his association with the Congress party, he said party workers and leaders had consistently supported him since he joined in 2006.
“I joined the Congress party in 2006. Since then, the party’s cadres, MLAs, MPs, and leaders have all supported me, and I thank them all,” he said.
Siddaramaiah also thanked his Cabinet colleagues and party leaders who worked alongside him during his two terms as Chief Minister.
“I served as Chief Minister twice – first from 2013 to 2018, and again from 2023 until today. On both occasions, my colleagues who worked with me extended their full support, cooperation, and affection. I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to all of them,” he said.
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Reflecting on his personal journey in politics, Siddaramaiah said he had never anticipated holding high office.
“I come from a rural background. I never expected that one day I would become an MLA, Minister, Chief Minister, or Leader of the Opposition. I had never imagined such a journey for myself,” he said.
“I entered politics by accident, as no one in my family had been active in politics.”
Siddaramaiah said his political and personal beliefs had been shaped by the teachings of Buddha, Basavanna and BR Ambedkar.
“I have always believed in the teachings of Buddha, Basavanna and Ambedkar, and have always held the Constitution in the highest respect,” he said.
“I have always believed that everyone should live as one family, without differences of caste, community, or creed. The nation’s wealth and power should be shared equally among all.”
Quoting Kuvempu, Siddaramaiah said society should become “a garden of peace for all humanity”.
“Everyone should get equal opportunities. The reason we are able to see inequality in our society is because equal opportunities do not exist. If inequality has to be removed, everyone must get equal opportunities,” he said.
Siddaramaiah said the policies and welfare measures introduced during both Congress governments under his leadership had been guided by principles of equality.
“That is why, during both the terms of our government—from 2013 to 2018 and from 2023 till now—we have tried to bring equality and equal opportunities. Whatever we said in our manifesto was also in line with this,” he said.
He said the Congress government had fulfilled 158 of the 165 promises made in its 2013 manifesto and had implemented around 300 of the more than 550 promises made in its 2023 manifesto.
“Along with that, we had also announced five guarantee schemes. These five guarantee schemes too were implemented in the very first year,” he said.
Siddaramaiah said the government had made a “sincere effort” to fulfil the assurances given to the people despite criticism from the opposition.
“The opposition spread false propaganda against us. Even the Prime Minister of the country said we would not be able to implement these guarantees and promises, that the state treasury would become empty. But we proved everyone wrong,” he said.
He also defended his government’s economic record, rejecting allegations that Karnataka had been pushed into unsustainable debt.
“They accuse Siddaramaiah, as Chief Minister and Finance Minister, of pushing the state into debt. This is false,” he said.
Citing provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act passed in 2002 during the tenure of former Chief Minister SM Krishna, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka’s fiscal deficit and debt levels remained within prescribed limits.
