Siddaramaiah resignation triggers public outrage; massive roadblocks, protests reported

Bengaluru: Widespread protests erupted across Karnataka on Thursday after senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah stepped down as Chief Minister following directions from the party high command.

Emotional scenes unfolded outside his official residence, Kaveri, in Bengaluru, where supporters gathered in large numbers and appealed to him not to resign from the post.

As Siddaramaiah prepared to leave for Lok Bhavan to submit his resignation, several supporters surrounded him and pleaded with him to continue as Chief Minister. Some supporters became emotional, while others attempted to stop his vehicle from moving by blocking its path.

The veteran Congress leader was seen consoling supporters before leaving the residence.

Protests spread across Karnataka

The resignation triggered demonstrations in several districts, with supporters, AHINDA groups and members of the Kuruba community staging protests against the Congress leadership’s decision.

In Shivamogga city, demonstrators gathered at Shivappa Nayaka Circle and raised slogans in support of Siddaramaiah. Protesters burnt tyres and demanded that he continue in office.

In Yadgir, members of the district unit of the Karnataka Pradesh Kurubara Sangha held a protest at Netaji Circle. Protesters shouted slogans against the Congress high command, formed a human chain and blocked traffic despite police efforts to disperse them.

Tyres were also burnt during the demonstration as supporters demanded that Siddaramaiah’s resignation should not be accepted.

Protester allegedly attempts suicide in Yadgir

The protests in Yadgir took a dramatic turn when a supporter identified as Bheemu allegedly attempted to consume poison.

Witnesses said he declared he was willing to die for Siddaramaiah before trying to drink from a bottle suspected to contain poison. People present at the spot quickly intervened and took the bottle away from him.

At another protest site in Yadgir, Subhash Chandra Circle, a supporter identified as Rajkumar Ganeer staged a silent demonstration while holding Siddaramaiah’s poster and expressing grief over his resignation.

Kuruba community leaders demand Siddaramaiah continue till 2028

In Kalaburagi, members of the Kuruba community gathered at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Circle demanding that Siddaramaiah remain Chief Minister until 2028.

Protesters carried posters of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi while voicing anger over the high command’s decision asking Siddaramaiah to step down.

One protester described Siddaramaiah as a leader committed to the welfare of backward classes, Dalits and minorities.

“He worked tirelessly for the development of backward communities and implemented several welfare schemes,” the protester said.

AHINDA supporters hold demonstrations in Hubballi

In Hubballi, AHINDA leaders and Siddaramaiah supporters assembled at Sangolli Rayanna Circle to protest against his resignation.

Demonstrators burnt tyres and accused the Congress leadership of treating Siddaramaiah unfairly. Slogans were raised against senior Congress figures, including Rahul Gandhi, D K Shivakumar and Mallikarjun Kharge.

The Karnataka State Federation of Backward Class Communities had already warned the Congress leadership a day earlier that the party could face consequences if Siddaramaiah was removed from office.

Federation leaders argued that the Congress returned to power in Karnataka due to the support of AHINDA communities, referring to minorities, backward classes and Dalits. They also claimed there was no other leader in the party with Siddaramaiah’s stature and warned of a statewide agitation if he was forced to resign.

Siddaramaiah officially resigns as Karnataka Chief Minister

Siddaramaiah confirmed on Thursday that he had resigned as Karnataka Chief Minister, two days after being instructed to do so by the Congress high command.

He submitted his resignation at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru. The resignation was received by Governor’s Special Secretary Prabhu Shankar as Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot was out of the state.

Addressing reporters after submitting his resignation, Siddaramaiah said, “I have tendered my resignation from the post of chief minister,” and added that he expected the Governor to accept it in accordance with constitutional procedures.

He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is expected to succeed him as Chief Minister.

Shivakumar set to take over after long political speculation

The Congress leadership had faced a prolonged power tussle between Siddaramaiah and state party president D K Shivakumar after the party’s victory in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections.

At the time, the party persuaded Shivakumar to accept the Deputy Chief Minister’s post. Political discussions had repeatedly referred to a possible rotational Chief Minister arrangement under which Shivakumar would take charge after two-and-a-half years, although neither the party nor the leaders officially confirmed such an agreement.

Earlier on Thursday, Siddaramaiah reportedly informed cabinet colleagues during a breakfast meeting at his residence that he would step down and that Shivakumar would take over as Chief Minister as directed by the Congress high command.

“Your love, your trust, my forever strength”: Siddaramaiah shares emotional message

Soon after resigning, Siddaramaiah posted an emotional message on X thanking the people of Karnataka for their support throughout his political journey.

The post included a photograph of him standing before a crowd with folded hands in a gesture of gratitude.

“Thank you. Your love. Your trust. My forever strength,” the message on the photograph read, carrying his signature.

In the accompanying statement, Siddaramaiah thanked the people of Karnataka for standing with him during difficult periods in his public life.

“I bow my head before the people of Karnataka, the lakhs of affectionate hearts who treated me as one among their own, blessed me, encouraged me, corrected me, stood by me in difficult times and held my hand throughout this long journey. Whatever I am today is because of you,” he wrote.

He also said that his resignation was only from the position of Chief Minister and not from public service or his commitment to social justice.

Calling the Constitution his religion and the people his God, Siddaramaiah said he would continue fighting for social justice and opposing divisive communal forces.

“Till my last breath, I will continue to fight for social justice and stand against divisive communal forces that go against the spirit of our Constitution,” he said.

The veteran leader concluded by thanking the people of Karnataka for their trust, affection and companionship throughout his political career.

Agency inputs