Siddaramaiah not retiring, will campaign and stay active in politics, son Yathindra clarifies
In a clarification that is likely to allay speculation over the political future of former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his son and Minister for Urban Development Yathindra Siddaramaiah said on Monday that the senior Congress leader will continue to remain active in politics and public life. He added that his father's recent statement about not wanting to contest the next elections should not be interpreted as an announcement of retirement from electoral politics.
Speaking with reporters at the government guest house in Belagavi, Mr. Yathindra said Mr. Siddaramaiah would campaign for Congress candidates in the coming elections. "He has only said that he may not fight the next Assembly polls. But he will continue to fight for the rights of the poor and deprived by remaining active in politics and public life. He has said this earlier too. It is not a signal that he plans to retire," the Minister said.
The clarification comes after Mr. Siddaramaiah announced at a public meeting that he would no longer contest elections. The announcement had generated considerable debate within political circles, with some interpreting it as the 76-year-old leader's gradual exit from the political arena.
Mr. Siddaramaiah is regarded as a towering figure in Karnataka politics. He served as Chief Minister of the state from 2013 to 2018 and previously served as Deputy Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition. Over his decades-long career, he has been associated with several political parties, including the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Janata Dal (United), before joining the Congress in 2017. He is widely credited with building a strong support base among backward classes, Dalits and minorities, and for introducing several welfare schemes, including the Akshara Dasoha (mid-day meal) programme and the Ksheera Bhagya scheme.
His decision to remain active, according to political observers, could provide a significant fillip to the Congress's electoral prospects in Karnataka. With his experience and mass appeal, Mr. Siddaramaiah is expected to play a crucial role in the party's campaign and organisational activities. His son's clarification is seen as an effort to put to rest any speculation about the senior leader's future role.
Responding to a query on Cabinet expansion in Karnataka, Mr. Yathindra said the Congress high command would take a proper decision after consulting senior leaders and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The expansion of the state Cabinet has been pending for a while, and there have been demands from various quarters for representation of different communities and regions.
On the demand raised by several Kannada organisations that the Belagavi City Corporation pass a resolution declaring Belagavi as an integral part of Karnataka, Mr. Yathindra said he would meet the representatives of these organisations. "We will consider their demands," he said. The issue holds significance in the context of the long-standing border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra over Belagavi, with both states claiming the district. Maharashtra has been pressing its claim based on linguistic grounds, while Karnataka has maintained that Belagavi is an inseparable part of the state. A resolution by the city corporation is seen as a symbolic affirmation of Karnataka's stand.
When asked about reports that the Union government had withheld additional financial grants to the Belagavi City Corporation, the Minister said he had no information about such a development. He noted that in various states, even local bodies without elected representatives have received such grants, and said the matter would be studied.
Mr. Yathindra said he had arrived in Belagavi to review the works being undertaken by the corporation and other agencies. His visit, he said, was part of routine administrative review, and the state government was committed to the development of all regions.
