It comes weeks after Siddaramaiah said he would not contest the 2028 assembly election, citing growing influence of money in electoral politics. He has said, however, that he would remain active in public life.
The former chief minister skipped the swearing-in of 19 new ministers at Lok Bhavan on August 3 and was also absent on the opening day of the assembly session last week. He attended the session on the second day, saying he had noticed media reports about his absence and wanted to put an end to speculation.
Siddaramaiah, who represents Varuna in Mysuru district, has built a strong political base around the Ahinda bloc – minorities, other backward classes (OBCs) and Dalits – and continues to command influence within the Congress and among several leaders in the Shivakumar cabinet.
His latest absence comes against the backdrop of reports that he was unhappy after his choice for a ministerial berth, Byadagi MLA Basavaraj Shivannanavar, was overlooked during the recent cabinet expansion in favour of a woman MLA. Shivakumar subsequently asked the woman MLA not to take oath, a move that was seen as an attempt to address concerns within the party.
Shivakumar has sought to avoid any public impression of a rift with Siddaramaiah. He has met his predecessor and consulted him before major decisions, including the cabinet expansion. He also inducted Siddaramaiah’s MLC-son Yathindra Siddaramaiah into the cabinet and named him leader of the house in the legislative council, a privilege usually accorded to veterans.
Siddaramaiah’s decision not to contest in 2028 is not without precedent. He made a similar announcement after becoming chief minister in 2013 but returned to electoral politics in 2018, contesting from Chamundeshwari and Badami. He lost in Chamundeshwari but won Badami, and subsequently contested from Varuna in 2023, winning the seat and returning as CM for a second term.Siddaramaiah’s latest decision is therefore being viewed with caution, particularly as his supporters are expected to press him to remain in electoral politics. Yathindra, who vacated Varuna for his father in 2023, is widely expected to seek the seat in 2028 and carry forward his father’s political legacy.
For now, Siddaramaiah’s repeated absence from key events is likely to keep speculation alive over whether he is merely maintaining a lower political profile or gradually stepping back from active electoral politics.
