The Congress party is navigating a significant change as it transitions from Siddaramaiah to DK Shivakumar in Karnataka’s government. A bigger challenge may arise in the upcoming Assembly elections, marking the first time voters will not see Siddaramaiah on the ballot in decades.
Siddaramaiah has announced he will not run in the 2028 elections, indicating a close to his long electoral career. This decision raises questions about whether the political coalition he built can sustain itself without him at the forefront.
His son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, emphasized that there’s no chance of persuading his father to reconsider. “As his son, I wouldn’t ask him to return to politics. He’s approaching 80, and I want him to enjoy the rest and care he deserves. His health is far more important than any election,” Yathindra stated. He also noted that once his father makes a decision, he tends to stick with it.
For nearly twenty years, Siddaramaiah has been a prominent figure in Karnataka politics. He served as the Congress’s main campaign strategist and has been a major voice for the AHINDA coalition, representing minorities, backward classes, and Dalits. Although DK Shivakumar currently leads the government, the party has yet to prove that Siddaramaiah’s strong voter appeal can be passed on to another leader.
Siddaramaiah’s influence reaches beyond just being popular. He still has the support of many lawmakers and plays a key role in decision-making within the party. His choice to remain focused on Karnataka rather than shift to national issues likely means he will keep his influence beyond 2028.
However, being influential without participating in elections poses a different challenge. Political analyst Sugata Srinivasaraju suggested that Siddaramaiah is unlikely to shift his focus to national politics due to language barriers and would likely continue to be a significant figure in the Assembly, but might not actively help the party prepare for the next campaign.
Historically, Siddaramaiah has influenced Karnataka’s politics significantly when he is in power. His interventions during periods outside of government have often shaken up the political landscape, as seen during the 2018 coalition period.
Some within the Congress believe they can manage the transition well. They argue that the party, rather than just Siddaramaiah, also has loyal supporters in the AHINDA coalition. Political commentator A. Narayana noted that Dalits and minorities have traditionally voted for the Congress more than just for Siddaramaiah himself.
“While Siddaramaiah’s strongest support comes from the Kurubas within the OBC community, his departure could offer the Congress a chance to regain support from other backward groups that have moved away,” he mentioned.
A party leader, wishing to remain anonymous, pointed out that while Siddaramaiah will still be involved in party activities after stepping back from contests, campaigning and engaging directly with voters are different aspects of political authority.
