The veteran Congress leader revealed that the party high command had offered him a Rajya Sabha berth, but he politely declined the proposal, asserting that he would continue in Karnataka politics and complete his remaining two years as an MLA.
Also read: Siddaramaiah resigns! DK Shivakumar to claim Karnataka CM chai
“The Congress top brass offered me a Rajya Sabha seat, but I politely declined as I have no interest in national politics,” he told reporters in Bengaluru. “I will remain in state politics, as I still have two years left to serve as an MLA.”
He thanked the Congress leadership, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, for allowing him to serve the people of Karnataka as its CM twice.
Siddaramaiah also said that he had made it clear time and again that he would resign whenever the high command instructed him to do so.
However, he clarified that there was no pressure from the party’s leadership for him to step down and maintained that the decision to resign was entirely his own.”The high command directed me two days ago to step down, and accordingly I submitted my resignation today. I got the opportunity to serve the people of Karnataka twice, for which I thank Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi & Mallikarjun Kharge,” he said.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah, sitting beside Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed confidence that his resignation would be accepted by the governor soon after he returns to Lok Bhavan. Karnataka Governor Thavarchand Gehlot is out of the state and is set to return tonight.
He asserted that it was the responsibility of the Governor to accept the resignation once it is submitted and make way for the next chief minister to assume office.
Siddaramaiah also said that the decision on the next Karnataka Chief Minister would be taken by the Congress high command in consultation with the Congress Legislative Party (CLP). “The next Karnataka CM will be decided by the high command and the Congress Legislative Party.”
During the press conference, the outgoing Chief Minister declared, “I am a politician and I have understood that the constitution is our religion. Voters are fans, God. I had the opportunity to speak to 7 crore people of Kannada Nadu. I had the opportunity to become the Chief Minister twice. I would like to express my immense gratitude to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, who have provided this opportunity.”
He stressed that despite his resignation, the Congress party maintains an “absolute majority” with 135+1 seats and the support of two independents. “Our party has won 135+1 seats. In addition, two independents have also supported our government. We are in the absolute majority.”
