The end of the era of tall leaders who ruled across Karnataka

Siddaramaiah was an influential figure in state politics along with his former mentor, former Prime Minister HD Dev Gowda. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s resignation marks the end of a chapter in Karnataka politics over the past two decades, when popular leaders often had a mass appeal that defined the state’s political discourse.

The veteran leader, along with his former mentor, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, a Vokkaliga stalwart, and former Chief Minister and Lingayat strongman BS Yediyurappa, were considered influential figures in state politics with their influence deeply rooted in their respective constituencies. Mr. Gowda has been in public life for more than six decades and Mr. Yediyurappa recently completed five decades. Mr. Siddaramaiah’s political career spans 48 years.

A common factor

While Mr Gowda, who still holds sway among the Vokkaligas, is not actively involved in Janata Dal (Secular) affairs, Mr Yediyurappa’s role in the BJP has also diminished following his resignation as chief minister in 2021. All three leaders have a common thread: they rose from local authorities, did not come from a financial background, and were first elected not to have local politics. have a political background.

Though union minister HD Kumaraswamy is popular among the Vokkaligas, long-time political observers feel that he has not quite risen to the position of the undisputed leader of the Vokkaligas. It remains popular in parts of the Kalyana region of Karnataka apart from its reach in the Old Mysore region. With the elevation of DK Shivakumar as the Chief Minister, his popularity among the Vokkaligas might also come into question. Interestingly, Mr. Yediyurappa’s political oblivion has not produced any senior leader among the Lingayats in the BJP or the Congress. In the OBC space, there is currently no leader on the horizon to step into the shoes of Mr. Siddaramaiah.

In positions of power

“Karnataka has largely had a history of leaders who became popular mass leaders only after attaining power. This is true of Mr. Siddaramaiah, Mr. Yediyurappa or Mr. Kumaraswamy. The only possible exception is Mr. Gowda, who largely stayed out of power and then became a leader,” said Narayana A., development faculty at Azima University of A. He also acknowledged that there is currently no leader to fill the vacuum that Mr. Siddaramaiah left OBC in politics.

Also in the past, former Chief Ministers S. Nijalingappa, D. Devaraj Urs and Ramakrishna Hegde, later seen as mass leaders, became popular only after assuming power. In Mr. Yediyurappa’s case, “betrayal” by the JD(S) in the power-sharing understanding led him to become the undisputed leader of the Lingayats. Mr. Siddaramaiah, who was expelled for trying to organize the AHINDA group, emerged as a powerful mass leader during his first term.

The 2028 scenario

According to a senior BJP leader, the next assembly elections in 2028 could be interesting as the influence of these powerful leaders is waning. The leader opined that the emergence of leaders in national parties would also be difficult without a strong trigger for communities to rally behind them. “Voters only vote for a leader or his party when they know he has a chance to come to power. None of these three leaders will be in the running.” The leader said there could be a possibility that in the coming days, the high command in the national parties will be stronger in decision-making, including that of future chief ministers.

Published – 28 May 2026 19:30 IST