Rules out entry into national politics
BENGALURU: After his resignation to the post of Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah said he acted as per the direction of the high command to step down as Chief Minister and that the decision to step down was “voluntary.” He clarified “There was no pressure exerted on me by high command to resign.”
Siddaramaiah ruled out his entry into national politics and stated he will confine himself to State politics since has two-years as an MLA to serve people and the State.
“I was offered a Rajya Sabha berth by the high command during a meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday wherein the offer was politely declined,” said Siddaramaiah at a crowded press conference with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Sivakumar and Minister of Home Dr G. Parameshwar seated on either side of him.
“I will continue in active politics and continue to fight communal forces,’ he said of his role in the coming days. “I am a firm believer in the Constitution and till my last breath I will continue my fight against communal forces and forces against the Constitution,” he stated and said “If Constitution framed by Dr B.R. Ambedkar was not there, then I would have ended up grazing sheep and would not have been educated, become MLA, DyCM or CM.”
Siddaramaiah assured “the people of the State to fight if the Constitution comes under danger from vested interests and also communal forces besides striving for social equality.”
He said his political spanning across 5 decades, he never went after power or money and wished to create assets and stated he began his political career as a Taluk Board member in 1978 and became MLA for the first time in 1983. “He termed his life an “open chapter.”
Siddaramaiah said “I never compromised with my values and ideologies” and stated “Only a leader who enjoys people’s support can sustain in public life.”
He thanked Congress leaders- Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi in particular for giving him an opportunity to serve as Chief Minister twice and Leader of Opposition.
