“Politely declined”: Siddaramaiah rejects congress rajya sabha offer after stepping down as Karnataka CM

In a surprising development following his resignation as Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah on Thursday confirmed that he “politely declined” the Congress high command’s offer of a Rajya Sabha seat, stating he has no interest in national politics and wants to remain active in Karnataka state politics.

The 78-year-old veteran Congress leader, who resigned on Thursday after the high command asked him to step down and pave the way for Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, made the announcement at a press conference shortly after submitting his resignation to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s office.

“I have no interest in national politics”

Addressing the media after submitting his resignation in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said, “I was also asked about the Rajya Sabha. I declined it. I have no interest in national politics. I want to remain in Karnataka politics”.

His statement came after days of marathon meetings with Congress leadership including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, and state in-charge Randeep Surjewala, during which Rahul Gandhi is learnt to have asked Siddaramaiah during a one-on-one meeting to consider taking up a national role in the party.

Siddaramaiah, who joined Congress in 2006 and became Karnataka’s longest-serving Chief Minister, resigned on Thursday ending days of suspense after the Congress high command told him to step down. “I have told you all many times, when the high command asks me to resign, I will resign. Two days back, the high command asked me to step down. Hence, I have resigned,” Siddaramaiah told reporters. He confirmed his resignation and asked the Governor to invite the next CM designate to take over, stating his government enjoyed an absolute majority with a strength of over 136 MLAs.

Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah broke the news of his resignation to his Cabinet over a closely watched breakfast meeting at his residence. Before the media briefing, Siddaramaiah submitted his resignation to the secretary of Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who is out of the state.

Congress Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said the Congress high command has directed the move, after which Siddaramaiah will tender his resignation at Lok Bhavan. Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar is widely seen as the frontrunner to take over as Karnataka’s next Chief Minister. Siddaramaiah’s decision to decline the Rajya Sabha offer and remain in state politics signals his continued commitment to Karnataka’s political landscape. This decision comes amid speculation that he will continue playing a significant role as a senior party leader in the state, even as Shivakumar takes over as CM.