On Sunday, 26th July, Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Siddaramaiah announced that he will not contest the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections, signalling that his electoral career is coming to an end. The senior Congress leader said his decision was based on his age, health and the changing nature of politics, although he made it clear that he would continue to remain active in public life.
Siddaramaiah announced while speaking at the birthday celebration of K.R. Pet Krishna in Mandya district. His remarks have since gone viral on social media, with many supporters expressing disappointment and urging him to continue in active politics for several more years.
Says politics has become “highly polluted”
Speaking at the event, Siddaramaiah said he had made up his mind not to contest any future elections. “Politics has become highly polluted. Honest politics is struggling to survive. It is in this backdrop that I have decided not to contest any future elections,” he said.
Later, in a post on X on Sunday, he confirmed that he had announced on 26th July that he would not contest the 2028 Assembly elections because of his age and his concerns over how politics has changed over the years.
ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಇಂದು ಕಲುಷಿತಗೊಂಡಿರುವುದರಿಂದ 2028ರ ವಿಧಾನಸಭಾ ಚುನಾವಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೆ, ಸಕ್ರಿಯ ರಾಜಕಾರಣದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದು, ಜನರ ಕಷ್ಟ, ಸುಖಗಳಿಗೆ ಧ್ವನಿಯಾಗಿ ನಿಲ್ಲುತ್ತೇನೆ.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 26, 2026
ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ ಚುನಾವಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಿಸುವಂತೆ ವರುಣ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದ ಜನರು ಒತ್ತಾಯಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆದರೆ ನಾನು ಇನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆ ಯಾವುದೇ… pic.twitter.com/v0S4tCQ30o
However, he clarified that stepping away from elections does not mean retiring from public life. “I will not contest the 2028 Assembly elections. However, I will remain active in politics and continue to be a voice for the joys and hardships of the people,” he said.
Age and changing political culture behind the decision
Siddaramaiah said people from his Varuna Assembly constituency had been requesting him to contest once again, but he had decided not to enter another election.
He recalled how election campaigns were different in the past. “Earlier, when we contested elections, people in the constituency would contribute financially and help us win. Today, the situation is entirely different,” he said.
The Congress veteran, who is now 79, said he would be around 82 by the time the next Assembly elections are held in 2028 and may not have the same energy or physical fitness. “By 2028, I will complete 50 years in public life. I began my political journey in 1978 as a Taluk Board member. I have witnessed both victory and defeat, but I have never acted against the principles I believed in or betrayed my conscience,” Siddaramaiah said.
He also said elections have become increasingly expensive, making it difficult for honest politics to survive. Thanking the people of Karnataka for their support over the last five decades, he added, “My remaining years will continue to be dedicated to public service.”
Not the first time Siddaramaiah has spoken about retirement
This is not the first time Siddaramaiah has spoken about stepping away from electoral politics. When he became Karnataka Chief Minister for the first time in 2013, he had described that election as his last. He repeated similar remarks before the 2018 Assembly elections, when he contested from Chamundeshwari and Badami, saying it would likely be his final election.
The announcement came months after Siddaramaiah resigned as Karnataka Chief Minister on 28th May as part of the Congress leadership transition that saw D.K. Shivakumar take over the post.
