Published Jul 26, 2026 | 5:21 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 26, 2026 | 5:21 PM
Siddaramaiah waves to supporters. Credit: X.com/siddaramaiah
Synopsis: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that he will not contest the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections, citing his age and the increasingly “polluted” nature of electoral politics. The senior Congress leader said he would remain active in public life and continue to speak for the people, but had decided not to contest any future election.
Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah has announced his retirement from electoral politics, citing the “polluted” nature of contemporary politics and his advancing age, two months after relinquishing the Chief Ministership of Karnataka.
In a post on X on Sunday, 26 July, Siddaramaiah said he will not contest the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections but will remain active in politics and continue to speak for the people.
“Since politics has become so polluted today, I will not contest the 2028 Assembly elections. However, I will remain active in politics and continue to be a voice for the people’s joys and hardships,” he wrote.
Siddaramaiah said the people of the Varuna constituency wanted him to contest once again, but he had decided against fighting any future election.
“…I have decided that I should not contest any more elections in the future. Earlier, when I contested elections, it was the people of the constituency themselves who contributed money and ensured my victory. But that is no longer the situation today,” he said.
“I am now 79 years old. Our government’s term has another one and a half years left. By then, I will be 81 or 82 years old. My health may not remain as strong as it is now, and I may not be able to work with the same enthusiasm as before. By 2028, it will mark 50 years of my political career.”
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
The veteran Congressman had also earlier ruled out a move to the Rajya Sabha, despite appeals from the party high command.
Also Read: Time – What AICC refused to give Siddaramaiah but gifted itself
Siddaramaiah reminisced about his career in public life, saying he had experienced both electoral victories and defeats without compromising his principles.
“I began my political journey in 1978 as a Taluk Board member. I have seen both victory and defeat. But I have the satisfaction of never acting against the principles I believed in and never betraying my conscience,” he said.
He said electoral politics has undergone a profound change over the years, making it increasingly difficult for those committed to clean public life.
“The time has now come when, if we contest elections, we are expected to pay money to the people. Politics today has become deeply corrupted. Honest politics seems to have little or no place anymore. It is in this context that I have decided not to contest any future elections,” Siddaramaiah said.
“For the past five decades, the people of this state have treated me as one among them and have showered me with affection and support. I remain indebted to them. Therefore, the rest of my life will also be dedicated to public service,” he said.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
