Amid a leadership tussle, Siddaramaiah is poised to equal the record of the longest-serving Karnataka Chief Minister, currently held by D. Devaraj Urs. Devaraj Urs served two terms as Chief Minister from 1972–77 and 1978–80, while Siddaramaiah has been in office since May 2023, following a full term from 2013 to 2018.
Celebrations have begun among Siddaramaiah’s supporters and well-wishers, with congratulatory banners and posters displayed near the Chief Minister’s residence and at prominent locations in Bengaluru. This marks Siddaramaiah’s achievement in becoming the longest-serving Chief Minister of Karnataka.
Addressing reporters in Mysuru, CM Siddaramaiah expressed gratitude for the people’s support, anticipating that on Tuesday, he will match the late Devaraj Urs in terms of the length of service as Chief Minister. He highlighted the personal significance of this milestone, given that both he and Devaraj Urs hail from Mysuru district.
Siddaramaiah reflected on his political journey, expressing surprise at reaching such a milestone. He shared that his initial aspirations were modest, aiming to become an MLA after serving as a taluk board member. The Chief Minister recounted contesting a total of 13 elections, winning eight, and experiencing defeats in two Parliamentary and two Assembly elections.
Comparing himself to Devaraj Urs, Siddaramaiah acknowledged the differences in their backgrounds and challenges faced. He emphasized that circumstances and support mechanisms have evolved over time, noting the changing landscape of politics and public engagement. Siddaramaiah humorously drew a parallel with sports, citing Virat Kohli surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s records.
Reflecting on the future, Siddaramaiah expressed openness to the emergence of new leaders surpassing his milestones. He acknowledged the dynamic nature of politics and the potential for others to lead for longer periods and present more budgets. Siddaramaiah has now equaled Devaraj Urs’ record of over seven-and-a-half years of continuous service across his two terms.
