Longest tenure as Chief Minister with “people’s blessings”: Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is set to surpass the record of former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs as the longest tenure as Chief Minister of Karnataka, on Monday (January 5, 2026) said he was able to serve at the helm of the State for a long duration solely because of the “blessings of the people”.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Mr. Siddaramaiah, however, made it clear that records are not permanent. “Records are meant to be broken. Another leader may emerge in the future who could surpass the tenure I am completing now. There could also be leaders who present the Budget more times than I have,” he said.

No comparison

Responding to queries, Mr. Siddaramaiah said there was no comparison between him and Mr. Urs, except that both hailed from Mysuru. He said it was a matter of happiness that both he and Mr. Urs hailed from Mysuru.

Clarifying further, the Chief Minister said Mr. Urs did not belong to a socially backward community, but to the ruling Arasu class. However, despite belonging to a numerically small community, Mr. Urs was a highly popular leader, he said while adding that comparing him with such great leader would not be appropriate.

Mr. Siddaramaiah also pointed out that the political situation in the 1970s, when Mr. Urs was CM, was vastly different from present-day politics. “Those were times when people not only voted for leaders but also contributed funds for elections,” he remarked, recalling that Mr. Urs was even elected unanimously on one occasion.

The Chief Minister said a Cabinet reshuffle was due and that he would discuss the matter with senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. 
| Photo Credit:
MA Sriram

Answering a question, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he had never expected to become a Minister, let alone the Chief Minister. However, he said that after being elected as a Taluk Board member in 1983, he did aspire to become an MLA. He added that he has won eight out of the 13 elections he has contested so far.

On the proposed Sadhana Samavesha to mark 1,000 days of the Congress government in the State, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he had not given it much thought. He added that Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda was planning an event in this regard and that he would discuss the matter with him after returning from a foreign visit.

Cabinet reshuffle

The Chief Minister said a Cabinet reshuffle was due and that he would discuss the matter with senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Asked when the reshuffle would take place, he said discussions would be held whenever Mr. Gandhi gives him time.

Replying to a question on whether the investigation into the recent incident in Ballari would be handed over to the CID, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the matter would be discussed with Home Minister G Parameshwara on January 6. “The truth will emerge after a proper investigation,” he said.