Siddaramaiah again called to enter national politics

Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar and outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah walk out after attending the Congress Legislature Party meeting at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Saturday (May 30). | Photo credit: SHAILENDRA BHOJAK

The party high command, which had encouraged outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to enter national politics by asking him to step down and pave the way for a power transition, raised the issue again at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting on Saturday (May 30).

“Mr. Venugopal appreciated Mr. Siddaramaiah’s contribution to the party, patted him and said the party would use him both at the state and national levels. The party said Mr. Siddaramaiah should help the Congress return to power at the Center in the 2029 general elections,” said a leader who was part of the meeting.

Mr. Siddaramaiah, on his part, insisted that he would not enter national politics and would serve the remaining two years as a legislator. At a press conference after announcing his decision to step down earlier in the week, he said he would continue active politics in the state. “The Congress high command asked me to go to the Rajya Sabha. But I humbly told them that I am not interested in national politics and want to continue in state politics,” Mr Siddaramaiah said.

Published – 30 May 2026 20:24 IST