Pramesh S Jain
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced that he has submitted his resignation letter to the Governor and said constitutional procedures would now follow for the appointment of a new Chief Minister.
In an emotional and politically reflective statement, Siddaramaiah said he had resigned “happily and wholeheartedly”and asserted that he was never a politician who bowed to pressure or influence.
“I consider the Constitution as my religion and the voters as my gods,” he said while addressing the people of the state.
Recalling his journey from a farmer’s family in a village to becoming Chief Minister twice,Siddaramaiah credited the Constitution drafted by Dr.B.R.Ambedkar for making his political rise possible.
“Without the Constitution,I would perhaps have remained a shepherd or lived a completely different life,”he said, paying tribute to Ambedkar and the constitutional framework.
The veteran leader expressed gratitude to the people of Karnataka for electing him repeatedly as MLA,Minister and Chief Minister over his four-decade-long political career.
He also thanked the Congress party leadership, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi,for trusting him with major responsibilities.
Siddaramaiah said he never viewed politics as a means for wealth or power but as an opportunity to serve the poor, oppressed and marginalised sections of society.
Reflecting on his political career,he recalled the guidance and influence of several leaders and mentors,including farmer leader M.D.Nanjundaswamy and former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde.
The outgoing Chief Minister said he had faced political conspiracies,betrayal and personal attacks throughout his career,including allegations targeting his family.
However,he maintained that he never compromised on his principles or betrayed the trust of the people.
“Politics has no retirement.I may move away from electoral politics,but I will continue to remain active in public life,”he said.
Highlighting his government’s achievements, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka had progressed significantly in human development,welfare schemes, irrigation projects and economic growth.
He pointed to the implementation of guarantee schemes,improvements in social security, reduction in malnutrition and support extended to farmers.
He said his dream was to build a Karnataka where every citizen has access to food,education,healthcare,housing and employment,irrespective of caste or economic background.
Siddaramaiah concluded by thanking legislators, government officials and the people of Karnataka for their support during his tenure and assured that his ideological and political struggle would continue even after stepping down from office.
