Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress senior leader Siddaramaiah announces that he will not contest the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections. Across reports, he cites advancing age and declining health as key factors. He says that by the time the elections are held he would be around 82 and would no longer be able to work with the same energy. Siddaramaiah also links his decision to his assessment that politics has become increasingly “corrupted,” “polluted,” or lacks space for honest politics. He argues that the growing influence of money in elections has shifted expectations, including allegations that candidates are now expected to pay voters rather than receive public support.
He makes the remarks at events in Mandya district, including K R Pet, and notes that people in his Varuna Assembly constituency have appealed for him to seek another mandate. Siddaramaiah says he will not enter the electoral race but intends to remain active in public life and politics, including continuing to speak on issues affecting people and working for the party.
The announcement follows his step down as Chief Minister about two months earlier, during a Congress leadership transition that handed the post to D K Shivakumar.
