Ex Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah announces he wont contest 2028 polls, cites age and corrupt politics
Speaking at a private event in Mandya district, the senior Congress leader said he would remain active in public life but had decided not to contest any more elections.
PTC News Desk: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday announced that he will not contest the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections, citing his age, health, and growing corruption in politics.
Speaking at a private event in Mandya district, the senior Congress leader said he would remain active in public life but had decided not to contest any more elections. He said people from his Varuna constituency had been asking him to contest again, but he had made up his mind.
His announcement comes two months after he stepped down as Karnataka Chief Minister and handed over the post to his deputy, DK Shivakumar. Karnataka is expected to hold Assembly elections in less than two years.
"The political field has become corrupted today. Therefore, I have decided not to contest the 2028 Assembly elections. However, I will continue to remain active in politics and stand with the people, raising my voice for their hardships and happiness," he said.
ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಇಂದು ಕಲುಷಿತಗೊಂಡಿರುವುದರಿಂದ 2028ರ ವಿಧಾನಸಭಾ ಚುನಾವಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನು ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೆ, ಸಕ್ರಿಯ ರಾಜಕಾರಣದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದು, ಜನರ ಕಷ್ಟ, ಸುಖಗಳಿಗೆ ಧ್ವನಿಯಾಗಿ ನಿಲ್ಲುತ್ತೇನೆ.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 26, 2026
ಮತ್ತೊಮ್ಮೆ ಚುನಾವಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಪರ್ಧಿಸುವಂತೆ ವರುಣ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದ ಜನರು ಒತ್ತಾಯಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆದರೆ ನಾನು ಇನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆ ಯಾವುದೇ… pic.twitter.com/v0S4tCQ30o
Looking back on his political career, Siddaramaiah said he entered public life in 1978 as a taluk board member and would complete 50 years in politics by 2028.
"I have seen both wins and losses in my political journey, but I am proud that I never compromised on my principles or acted against my conscience," he said.
The 79-year-old leader said his age and health also influenced his decision. He added that he would be around 82 by the time the next Assembly elections are held and felt he would no longer be able to work with the same energy as before.
The former Chief Minister also criticised the growing role of money in elections.
"Today, if one has to contest elections, candidates are expected to give money to voters. Politics has become deeply corrupted, and there is little space left for honest politics," he said, adding that there was a time when people of his constituency contributed money and supported his election campaigns.