Politics corrupt, won’t contest polls any more: Siddaramaiah

Siddaramaiah announced he will not contest any future elections, including the 2028 Karnataka assembly polls, citing advancing age, declining health, and politics becoming "corrupted".

The 79-year-old Congress Working Committee member resigned as Karnataka chief minister on May 28, 2026, paving the way for DK Shivakumar to take over as CM.

Siddaramaiah asserted he will remain active in politics and continue speaking on public issues, but said money had become central to elections, leaving little space for honest politics.

He noted that while people of Varuna constituency are urging him to contest again, he decided not to because of the changed political climate where candidates must give money to voters.

Siddaramaiah stated he will have completed 50 years in public life by the 2028 assembly polls, having started his political career in 1978 as a Taluk Board member.